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The fifth and final stage is the resolution of the conflict. A satyagrahi tries to see an opponent's point of view, and a satyagraha is claimed to be successful only when both sides feel that they are winners. Satyagraha, this new, unique method of solving conflicts, was Gandhi's greatest legacy to mankind. His method proved itself when India gained independence from the British, leaving little lingering sense of bitterness. This method has since been used in many other parts of the world. It was highly successful in Martin Luther King's struggle against racial discrimination in the United States. Today, many groups of activists, involved in causes such as nuclear disarmament, animal rights, and environmental protection, use these Gandhian methods to good effect. Gandhi was born on Oct. 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. His parents belonged to the Vaisya (merchant) caste of Hindus. Young Gandhi grew up in an atmosphere of religious tolerance and the acceptance of the teachings of various Hindu sects, as well as Jainism. He was a shy, serious boy. Even as a child he resisted the temptation to lie or cheat. When he was 13 years old, he married Kasturbai, a girl of the same age. Their parents had arranged the marriage according to custom. The Gandhis had four children. At the age of 19, Gandhi travelled to England to study law. In London, he began to develop his philosophy of life. He remained a vegetarian under difficult circumstances, and studied the great Indian religious classic, the Bhagavad-Gita. He also turned to the New Testament of the Bible and to the teachings of the Buddha. In 1891, Gandhi returned to India to practise law, but met with little success. In 1893, Gandhi went to South Africa to do some legal work. South Africa was then under British control. Almost immediately, he was abused because he was an Indian who claimed his rights as a British subject. He saw that all Indians suffered from discrimination. His law assignment was for one year, but he stayed in South Africa for 21 years to work for Indian rights. Gandhi led many campaigns for Indian rights in South Africa and edited a newspaper, Indian Opinion. As a part of satyagraha, he promoted civil disobedience campaigns and organized a strike among Indian miners. He was arrested many times by the British, but his efforts brought important reforms. Gandhi also worked for the British when he felt justice was on their side. He was decorated by them for medical work in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.
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