A disciple of M. G. Ranade, Gokhale was known as the Gladstone of India because of his tremendous grasp of financial affairs and the irresistible persuasive debating skills. He was one of the most distinguished moderates in the Indian National Congress. Convinced of the need for character building, Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to train youth for public service. He believed that scientific and technological education was India.s greatest need. .Self government depends upon the average strength in the character and capacity of our people taken as a whole.. Mahatma Gandhi regarded him as his political guru.