How can one man bring down an empire that ruled one-fi fth of the world? Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi did just that in his fi ght for Indian Independence from the British Empire. Though mediocre at school in India, Ghandi's parents urged
him to study law in England. Once qualifi ed, he was too shy to appear in court, drafting legal documents instead. His life's purpose came when he witnessed numerous
attacks by Europeans on Indians. By now living in South Africa, he developed non-violent activism in pursuit of Indian independence. Imprisoned for many political offences, Gandhi never wavered from his pursuit of the freedom of all Indians - whatever caste or religion. A brilliant communicator, deeply compassionate, caring
and spiritual, he was a superb tactician. Facing an Empire accustomed to confl ict, he found a peaceful way to make the British go. He considered every angle, imagining himself as a British negotiator to work out British weaknesses. Gandhi succeeded in securing India's freedom in 1947. However, his belief in the Indianness of all Indians led to his
assassination in 1948 by a Hindu nationalist who believed him too sympathetic to Muslims. The man who brought the world's greatest empire to the negotiating table was once asked for his message to the world. His answer stands as his epitaph. "My life," he said, "Is my message."
With his strong sense of what was right and his brilliance as a speaker and a motivator, Ghandi achieved freedom for one of the world's most populous nations. Bernardo Moya
Jacqueline Gold
Dignity and Self Worth The UK's 16th wealthiest woman has been dubbed "the Queen of Sex" and "Princess of Pleasure", but Jacqueline Gold's early life was deeply unhappy. When she was born in 1960, her father David Gold wept with
disappointment on hearing he had fathered a girl, not a boy. Jacqueline had all the trappings of wealth but remained
unhappy. After her parents split up when she was 12, she claims her stepfather sexually abused her. She left school in 1979 and asked her father for work experience. He'd made his money from sex shops and pornography, and owned four "upmarket" Ann Summers stores where she worked for an extremely low wage in an intimidating environment. After attending a Tupperware party, she hit on the idea of
throwing women-only parties, selling lingerie and erotic toys. From this fl ash of inspiration, the Ann Summers Party Plan began. Her parties are now part of Britain's cultural fabric, where women can discuss sex in a fun environment. Jacqueline became Chief Executive of Ann Summers in 1987,
transforming the shops into a multi-million-pound business, with an annual turnover of over £100 million. For anyone feeling unloved or isolated, Jacqueline Gold is an empowering role model. Perhaps more importantly, her championing of women's sexuality has helped many women worldwide fi nd fulfi lment through more exciting sex lives.
With her realisation that pleasure was a serious business, Jacqueline Gold turned the whole idea of women and sex upside down - giving women the power to enjoy their lives, and making a business empire from their pleasure. Bernardo Moya
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will
I think people take life too seriously – and because of that they are missing lots of opportunities