Greatmen are the makers of a nation. By the sheer strength of their character and personality they help to mould the character of their fellow citizens. Good examples make us good, bad examples lead us astray. At home our parents are our teachers. A child would be automatically influenced by the good examples set, before him at home.
Then there are men of exceptionally strong and personified character. Buddha, Aurobinda, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and others belong to the category who are next to God. They came to this world to preach certain truths and to reform mankind. They preached love of humanity irrespective of colour, creed and religion. They took the masses with them. They are great spiritual forces. Their influence to mankind is limitless.
Then there are greatmen like Netaji Subhas Chandar Bose, C. R. Das, Balgangadhar Tilak, and Ashutosh Mukherjee. They are glory to our country. They reformed the nation and put examples and idealisms to follow. They also enhanced the prestige of our country abroad. Leaders-political, social or religious, will continue to make and unmake a nation. Their influence on mankind continues even after their death. Their glorious deeds inspire thousands of men for years.
Truly the poet glorified :
Lives of great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us.
Footprints on the sands of time.
(226)
