Gandhi’s ‘American Allies’ Aid Indians’ Struggles

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Missionaries put human dignity first, challenge social injustice

Silver Spring, MD, November 6, 2009 — When Fred Williams arrived in India in 1921 as part of the Methodist missionary, he focused on helping the “untouchable” low-caste people with their seemingly earthly struggles: sanitation, health care, food. On the plains of Bengal, Williams’ efforts to educate and encourage self-government among the Hindus preceded his efforts to lead them to Christianity.

His son Norman tells the story of Fred and Irene Williams in “Gandhi’s American Ally: How an Educational Missionary Joined the Mahatma’s Struggle Against Untouchability” (published by iUniverse). The Williams family eventually earned the attention from and respect of Mohandas Gandhi, while they relinquished their western lifestyle and embraced the Indian customs, foods and habits of their new neighbors in their land – and their desire for independence. This true story of an unusual family history demonstrates how humanitarian work becomes the best Christian example, and how pacifist influences of great leaders in human rights like Gandhi and the Williams carries through to new generations, with Norman becoming a conscientious objector to the draft, working in a Quaker camp, and challenging the government’s exploitation of the environment through strip-mining. Crusaders of reform and activists in human rights fill a special role in society and this story inspires others to help others who struggle for decency and democracy.

About the Author

Norman R. Williams was born in Bengal, British India, and after completing high school in 1940 he returned to the U.S. where he was a conscientious objector to World War II and the Korean War. He was a state official in West Virginia and called for the abolition of coal strip mines. In the U.S. Congress he assisted on two committees preparing federal legislation to restore strip mines, and after President Carter signed the legislation, he assisted in investigating violations of the law in the southern Appalachians. He earned a bachelor’s degree from American University and a master’s in public administration. He and his wife of 66 years, Winifred, have five children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. This is his first book.

“Gandhi’s American Ally”

Available from: http://www.iUniverse.com, http://www.bn.com, and http://www.amazon.com

iUniverse offers a variety of publishing services to help individuals publish, market and sell fiction, poetry and nonfiction books. The company utilizes print-on-demand technology, and is one of the largest self-publishing companies in the U.S. iUniverse is based in Bloomington, Indiana.

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