In pics: Global influence of Mahatma Gandhi

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who took inspiration from Gandhi and became the most visible spokesperson and leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

He applied non-violent campaign in 1955 during the Montgomery bus boycott, helping millions of African Americans to fight for civil liberties. He said, "Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics".

A South African anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a revolutionary politician. He served as the prime minister of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Popularly known as "Gandhi of South Africa", he followed Gandhi's principles of non-violent civil disobedience movement.

"I could never reach the standard of morality, simplicity and love for the poor set by the Mahatma, While Gandhi was a human without weaknesses, I am a man of many weaknesses, "Mandela said.

Lennon was a British singer, songwriter, musician, co-founder of the famous music band "The Beatles". John Lennon referred to Gandhi as an influence on his music.

With his wife Yoko Ono, Lennon protested for non-violent interactions in the world, and for the end of the Vietnam War.

Dalai Lama, the name given to spiritual monks of Tibet. The current and 14th Dalai Lama is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

During his visit to India he said, "It is gladdening to see that even after so many years, Gandhiji's values, ideology and principles are deep-rooted in the Indian way of life".

Cesar Chavez was a Gandhian. he was an American labour leader and civil rights activists. He led marches, adopted hunger strikes and boycott movements for Latino farm workers.

He dedicated his life to improving treatment, pay and working conditions of farmworkers.

Mahatma Gandhi Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was very close and worked together for India's freedom from colonial rule. He also has known as the "Frontier Gandhi" and "Badshah Khan".

After Indo-Pakistan partition, he migrated to Pakistan citizenship but became the first non-Indian citizen to be awarded India's highest civilian award(Bharat Ratna).

A disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a freedom fighter of India, Vinoba Bhave is best known for "Bhoodan Movement" (A land reform movement).

"I know of nothing which is of greater value than reading the Gita. And yet, I have found a living person who follows the philosophy of Gita in his own life. He is my master and lives in an Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati river in Gujarat" said Vinoba Bhave.

Sunderlal Bahuguna was an Indian environmentalist and eco-activist. He was one of the leaders of the Chipko movement (Hugging the tree to prevent deforestation).

He was a Gandhian and adopted Gandhi's philosophy of "non-violence" and "satyagraha".

A Gandhian activist, Vandana Shiva is an Indian environmentalist and agro-ecologist.

She has taken up a non-violent civil campaign to resist globalisation and protect farmers and earth. Her strategy is to harvest every endangered seed and native plant, restore the soil to its original richness.

The 2011 Indian Against Corruption movement had been launched in Hazare's name. The movement had led to the creation of the Aam Aadmi Party which is currently in power in Delhi.