Mahatma Gandhi’s Communication Style: A Lesson for Modern Public Relations
MK Gandhi, the Great Revolutionary of 20th century, who preached Peaceful Resistence- ‘Ahinsa’ was also a perfect communicator. World renowned PR Guru, * Dr. Suresh Gaur analyses his process of applying Communication skills to lead the Great Struggle for Freedom !
New Delhi: Friends’ hashtagMahatmaGandhi had recognized the importance of hashtagcommunication as an effective tool to shape public opinion and to mobilize support. He was successful because of his latent skill in communication that surfaced in South Africa where he used his hashtagcommunicationskills by conveying his heart to millions of his followers and admirers across the globe through “The Indian Opinion” newspaper which became an important tool for political movement led by him and the Indian National Congress to fight racial discrimination and win civil rights for the Indian immigrant community of South Africa.
Gandhi ji made best use of the nationalist press and his own journals: Young India, Navjeevan, Harijan and other 
periodicals to reach the masses in every nook and corner of the country. He also knew that the secret of reaching out to the hearts of people living in the rural areas was through the age-old oral traditions as also public lectures, prayers meetings and padayatras. He used all the available means of communication channels to give a new direction to the freedom movement and won the freedom through the unique technique of satyagraha, non-violence, and truthfulness.
He had introduced symbols associated with the freedom movement, e.g. Spinning Wheel (Charkha) and Hand woven cloth ‘Khadi’ that became an enduring symbol of independence and ingenuity. It was the first step towards the conversion of masses into ardent freedom fighters.
Gandhi ji effectively used three C’s of communication i.e. Credibility, Consistency, & Connection. He knew that without credibility, his messages will not influence anybody. When he said: “Be the change you want to see in the world,” he was living his message of peaceful resistance daily. Gandhi ji’s consistent message was the importance of gaining India’s liberty through peaceful means. The consistency in his messages eventually helped India to gain her liberty.
Being an hashtageffectivecommunicator, Gandhi ji had the ability to instantly connect with his audience through his speeches which were clear, direct and heart to heart. He made an authentic emotional connection with the people of India. Once that connection was made,he was able to paint a picture of an independent India and eventually India got freedom on 15th August 1947.
hashtagPublicRelations methods used by The Father of The Nation Mahatma Gandhi 
were truly effective and paid great results in; 1. Communicating with the masses, 2. Winning public support despite the problems of cultural and linguistic diversity, &
3. Overcoming the serious obstacles laid by the ruling British Govt.
Many of the methods adopted by Mahatma Gandhi to communicate with the masses are now part of the standard practice of Public Relations all over the world. We can learn a lot from the Gandhi ji’s art of effective communications.
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*Dr. Suresh Gaur, called P R Guru is a promient Speaker on Communication and PR Skills, lectured in several universities and institutions. He has written many books on the subject and has presented his latest book to former President Ram Nath Kovind recently.
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