Who Did Better - Those Who Sacrificed Or Those Who Didn't?

In our school textbooks, sometimes when I read about our freedom struggle and noncooperation movement; where students left colleges and studies; employees quit their govt jobs; so as to put pressure on the British and strengthen our movement; I wondered what a great sacrifice it was... To quit studies and jobs meant sacrificing not only their own individual future prospects but also of their kids; all for the greater good of our country...

But then I used to read about the likes of Gandhiji and Nehruji; who went to England to study Law; established themselves in professions of power and prestige, and then later on when the time was right, joined the freedom movement. They did not establish the Cong Party; they only overtook it. They were certainly late-risers, or slow-movers; but went on to grab the opportunity with great strength when time was right.

And they not only earned their name and fame but also positions of power because of their education (since they did not quit college), knowledge (since they established themselves in their professions; often law - which gave immense mass popularity), had seen the globe (always appreciated in national leaders); spoke flawless English (because of which many Indians thought these were better fitted to negotiate with the British). So those who sacrificed their personal lives and quit colleges earned meager Freedom Fighters Pensions while those who did not quit colleges but joined the race to the top when the time was ripe, established their family dynasties which are still in power... (Again, truly ethical Gandhiji did not promote his dynasty; so he witnessed dispute with his sons and in general his kins are not as well-off as those of the leaders who chose to acquire positions of power and privilege...)

So can we say that in general selfish people benefited while sacrificing people suffered?

I think it is not so easy to conclude so. One, those who quit their studies and jobs, if they understood the importance of these should have made sure to send their kids to schools and colleges after India got freedom. Though I think it was not always possible to do so; once you are down, it is easier for you to go down than come up. Secondly, for those who were slow-movers and earned qualifications; though their kids had competitive advantage, there was no guarantee of success unless they labored hard and earned their merit. Though again, I think many times it is easier to succeed if you have succeeded in the past; than to succeed if you don’t know how success is gained in general. In any case there are always exceptions. 

(C) Rahul