A day dedicated to the ‘Father of the Nation’, Gandhi Jayanti is the celebration of the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi. Every year, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2, which is a national holiday.
One of the tallest leaders of the Indian freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi, propounded He was a political ethicist, a nationalist and a lawyer. Mahatma’s way of choosing non-violence to attain independence of the country against the British rule stands as an example for the world to drop the weapons and choose the non-violent way. Mahatma believed in the power of love and tolerance. Every year, this day is celebrated with a whole lot of grandeur and pomp across the country.
After returning to India in 1915, Gandhi joined the INC and went on to become its president. It was under his leadership that Indians took part in several peaceful civil disobedience movements, including the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement. Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
This year, Gandhi Jayanti will mark the 153rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It is celebrated everywhere in the country from schools, colleges to government and non-government offices. The day usually starts by singing Gandhi’s favourite hymn Raghupati Raghava. Then a memorial serve is organised where people reminisce the teachings of Mahatma. People also organise cultural activities, patriotic songs and dance. His birthday is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.
His path of following non-violence and winning people over with the power of love has since then influenced a lot of civil rights in the country. Mahatma Gandhi also led India’s struggle to attain freedom and gave his life for the benefit of the country.
On October 2, a national holiday is observed to respect Mahatma Gandhi and pay our tributes to the freedom fighter. In 2007, the United National General Assembly announced October 2 as the International Day of Non-violence to honour Gandhi’s ways. On this day, awareness is created on the importance of non-violence and convergence of peace, harmony and unity across the world. May the spirit of truth and non-violence be with us on this Gandhi Jayanti. Let's salute one of the great Souls of India.