“ We are not likely to see the likes of Nelson Mandela again.” American President Barack Obama eulogized shortly after the demise of the great visionary and World Leader Nelson Mandela at the age of 95.

Sir Mandela was the man behind bringing revolutionary modifications and reoriented metamorphosis into the social, political and economic model of South Africa after years of a struggle-filled endeavor. He was the parental figure who had driven citizens of South Africa to become an excellent example of revival, reconciliation and resilience. Fragments of the world political map will go missing without Mandela in it. Since his late teenage, the life of this great leader had been dedicated towards fighting against the repression, exploitation, injustice and the nonconformist ideas pertaining to the political sphere in South Africa. As a youth, he had at an early age realized that the social apparatus he was living at had been dominated largely by the blanket of custom, ritual, apartheid, taboo, racism and a few more endemic plaguing factors, which had made the lives of different classes of people prejudiced and unjust. Standing up against the demons of apartheid, racial subordination and prejudice as a youth was his conscious decision, which later led him to live in prison for 27 long years. The journey was paved with difficult features including life threats, punishment and domination by the state administration and other forces at times. But his determination ultimately triumphed bringing the joy of freedom and the sense of equality to millions of people. The endeavors, the philosophy and the life of Nelson Mandela are today looked upon as great sources of inspiration in the global scenario by billions of people.

The Indian Connection

After the great leader had passed away, the Indian PM Manmohan Singh went on to say in his tribute: “This is as much India’s loss as South Africa’s!”

Mandela was a true follower of the Gandhian philosophy, and that is why he chose India as his first foreign destination to visit after his 27 years of imprisonment. In his words himself, Mandela had richly praised Gandhiji, “I could never reach the standard of morality, simplicity and love for the poor set by the Mahatma!”

Nelson Mandela was the second non-Indian to have been awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna Award. He was also awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize by the Indian government in 2001. This is a matter of pride that thousands of South Africans who belonged to the Indian roots fought hand in hand with Mandela against apartheid.

He was a true icon for the youth all over the world. His contributions to the world political affairs have influenced people from across the world. He has not only remained an international hero, but also the embodiment of the unshakable human spirit that will be relevant in championing the cause of equality amongst people for years to come.