Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948)

• Born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat; the day is observed as International Day of Non-Violence.
• He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer, and leader of the Indian nationalist movement.
• Advocated non-violence, truth, honesty, compassion, and welfare of the downtrodden.
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale was his political mentor.
• Practised satyagraha against racial discrimination in South Africa from 1893 to 1915.
• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed on 9th January to mark his return from South Africa.

Literary Contributions

• Authored Hind Swaraj and The Story of My Experiments with Truth.
• Published weeklies like Harijan, Navjivan, Young India, and Indian Opinion.

Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928)

• Narayana Guru belonged to the Ezhava caste, which was traditionally associated with toddy-tapping and faced discrimination, including denial of education and temple entry. 
  • Ezhavas constituted a significant portion of Kerala’s population, making up twenty-six percent of the total.
• Aruvippuram Movement: In 1888, Narayana Guru retrieved a stone from the Neyyar River and installed it as a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram during Sivaratri. 
  • This act was a statement to challenge the notion that only higher castes could perform idol consecrations.
• SNDP Movement:  Initiated by him (1903)  sparked a revolution in Kerala, resulting in the removal of numerous discriminatory practices.
• Established Sivagiri Madhom, a major spiritual and reformist center in Kerala in 1904
• Sree Narayana Guru became one of the greatest proponents and re-evaluators of Advaita Vedanta, the principle of non-duality put forward by Adi Shankara.
  • Founded the Advaita Ashram at Aluva (1913), advocating the principle “Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra” 
• He believed in the equality of all religions, condemned animal sacrifice, and advocated against divisions based on caste, race, or creed. 
  • Advocated for social equality, emphasizing the principle of “One caste, One Religion, One God for all human beings.”
• Literary Works: Advaitha Deepika, Asrama, Thevarappathinkangal, Atmavilasam, Daiva Dasakam, and Brahmavidya Panchakam,