Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated is India on October 2nd annually. It is a national holiday in India and is observed to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi also known as father of our nation. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi also known as 'Bapu' was a political and spiritual leader in India and played as key role in the Indian freedom movement against the British rule. Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha and nonviolence is held in high esteem by the world community and internationally this day is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Mahatma Gandhi Life history
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, a small town in Gujarat. He was married to a Kasturba Gandhi at the age of 13. He went to England to study law and practiced in South Africa before he returned to India in 1915 to take part in the Indian freedom struggle and within a short span of time went on to become the President of Indian National Congress. He believed in the principles of truth and non-violence. For him non-violence was the only way to combat violence itself.
Using the principles of non-violence or Satyagraha, Gandhi led his campaign of Indian Independence against the British. He led Indians in the Non Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Dandi March and Quit India Movement calling British to leave India. His philosophy of nonviolence has influenced national and international nonviolent resistance movements to this day with the values of truth and nonviolence preached by Mahatma Gandhi decades standing true even today. He also strived for abolition of social evils like untouchability, economic inequality, promotion of primary education and improvement in the status of women. He was assassinated on 30 January 1948 in New Delhi.
How is Gandhi Jayanti Celebrated?
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated as quiet and solemn affair. It is a national holiday in India and all schools, colleges and offices remain closed on Gandhi Jayanti to pay homage to the great leader.
On this day Prayer meetings are held at Raj Ghat, New Delhi the memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated which is attended by the President and Prime Minister of India along with other dignitaries. Various religious and political leaders come and pay their tribute to Gandhiji. All religions prayer is held at the Samadhi in the morning. Verses are read from religious scriptures and hymns are sung including Gandhi’s favourite devotional song “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram”. Flower garlands are placed on many statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout India. On this day events like Prayer services, commemorative ceremonies, art exhibitions and essay competitions are held. In India liquor is neither sold nor consumed on this day in Gandhiji’s honour.