Mahatma Gandhi, known also as Bapu, Mahatma or the Father of Nation, was an ethologist, nationalist, and lawyer. The day of his birth is fast approaching, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm around the world. The day is celebrated around the world as the International Day of Non-violence and as a Gandhi Jayanti.
Table of contents
- Gandhi Jayanti 2023 Date
- Mahatma Gandhi: A Brief Overview
- Some interesting Facts About Gandhi ji You do not want to miss
- Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on October 2?
- Why October 2 is also celebrated as International Day of Non-violence
- Gandhi Ji’s role in the struggle for independence from British rule
- How the government will celebrate Gandhi Jayanti
- What Rituals are performed on the Eve of Gandhi Jayanti?
- The 5 most important teachings of Gandhi ji that are still relevant today
Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his life to freedom for the nation, and he advocated the path of truth, non-violence and peace. Learn when we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti and its significance. You can also learn about the history of this birth anniversary.
Gandhi Jayanti 2023 Date
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated annually on October 2. It falls on Monday this year and marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi: A Brief Overview
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a Gujarati politician and statesman, was born in Porbandar on October 2, 1869.
Mahatma shares his birthday along with Lal Bahadur Shastri, another Indian politician and statesman. Mahatma was a lawyer who had his life transformed by his experience in South Africa. Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti are celebrated on the same day.
He acts as an important person in India’s Independence Movement. Gandhi led several Satyagraha movements and Ahimsa to liberate India from British colonial control. The Indian civil rights movement was profoundly affected by his non-violent approach and his ability to win people over with love and understanding. Nathuram Godse assassinated him on January 30, 1949.
Some interesting Facts About Gandhi ji You do not want to miss
- Time Magazine honour: In 1930, Mahatma was the only Indian to be awarded the title Man of the Year by Time Magazine.
- Irish accent: Gandhi spoke English with a strong Irish accent because one of his first teachers was Irish.
- Nobel Peace Prize Nominations: Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times but never won it.
- Title “Mahatma “: Rabindranath Tagore, the great Bengali writer, gave Gandhi the title of ‘Mahatma.
- Shared birthday: Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was born in 1904, and Mahatma Gandhi both had the same birthday.
- Funeral procession: Gandhi’s funeral procession stretched eight kilometres.
- Roads named after Gandhi: There are 48 roads named after Mahatma Gandhi outside India and 53 roads named within India.
- Henry Ford’s admiration: Henry Ford was a great admirer and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.
Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on October 2?
Gandhi Jayanti, a celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, is held on October 2 every year. This date was selected for several important reasons. This date is significant for several reasons. Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, a coastal town in Gujarat state in India, on October 2, 1869. This date represents the start of his life’s journey and is a tribute to the legacy that he left.
Why October 2 is also celebrated as International Day of Non-violence
Mahatma Gandhi is widely considered the father of non-violent demonstrations as a way to achieve social and political changes. Satyagraha – which is a form of civil disobedience – and his commitment to peaceful methods inspired people not only in India but around the globe.
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 2 International Day of Non-violence in honour of Gandhi’s principles.
The United Nations says that the day is a chance to “disseminate a message of non-violence-violence through education and public understanding”. The document reaffirms the “universal relevance of the non-violence-violence principle” and the wish “to ensure a culture that promotes peace, tolerance and understanding”.
Gandhi Ji’s role in the struggle for independence from British rule
Gandhi’s birth date is important because of his contribution to India’s struggle for freedom from British colonial rule. He was a key figure in the freedom movement and led it by non-violence-violence.
His non-violent approach inspired and motivated millions to fight for freedom using peaceful means such as peaceful protests and boycotts. Mahatma’s legacy and philosophy of non-violence-violence, as Father of the Indian Nation, continues to be celebrated every year on October 2. This is a celebration of his lasting impact on India and around the world.
How the government will celebrate Gandhi Jayanti
The day is celebrated as a holiday in order to show respect for the leader. It includes prayer services, cultural events, and other events.
What PM Modi plans to do on the 154th Gandhi Jayanti
In 2014, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made a powerful call for cleanliness. People of all backgrounds responded with great enthusiasm and took on the responsibility to make India cleaner. As a result, cleanliness became a national practice, and the Swachh Bharat Mission was a household term.
Mahatma Gandhi has always been a proponent of cleanliness and hygiene. In 2014, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan was launched to promote cleanliness and sanitation in the country.
The Prime Minister issued an unusual call to action in preparation for Gandhi Jayanti. In preparation for the Gandhi Jayanti Celebration in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a campaign called ‘Ek Tareekh Ek Saath’. He urged citizens to participate in Shramdaan as part of the campaign.
The Prime Minister, during the 105th Mann Ki Baat episode, urged all citizens, at 10 am on October 1, to take part in an hour-long voluntary cleanliness drive known as “SHRAMDAAN.” This is a collective effort to pay tribute, or ‘SWACHH ANJALI,’ to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birthday.
What Rituals are performed on the Eve of Gandhi Jayanti?
A morning prayer meeting is held at Raj Ghat in New Delhi on October 2. During the morning prayer, dignitaries such as the Prime Minister and President of India attend.
The followers, politicians, activists and the general public pay their respects to his samadhi by placing flowers or garlands. In his memory, the devotional song “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” is sung/played.
The 5 most important teachings of Gandhi ji that are still relevant today
1. Ahimsa
Mahatma’s non-violence-violence policy was based on non-violence-violence, compassion and the idea of non-violence-violence. He proposed non-violent responses to colonial violence. According to him, a non-violent, calm response can reduce the aggressor’s anger and frustration and is more powerful than violence.
Gandhi’s Salt March in 1930 is one of his most well-known acts of peaceful resistance. Today, non-violence-violence should guide individuals and nations. World organisations are also prone to violence and repression.
India faced an expansionist threat from China, but Gandhi’s philosophy is what helped India avoid a war with China.
India is constantly confronted by the aggressive attitude of Pakistan in the West. However, its ahimsa policies are respected internationally. Gandhi’s Ahimsa still holds sway after 74 years.
2. Satyagraha
Gandhiji named the non-violent method of action “Satyagraha”. This is the most pure spiritual power to fight injustice, oppression and exploitation. Satyagraha is considered the moral alternative to warfare.
Gandhi has demonstrated successful solutions for issues and conflicts at all scales, from the micro to the enormous. Gandhian ideology can be used to address a number of current issues, including those involving human rights, sustainable development, climate change, socio political upheaval, war and peace, terrorism, and political and administrative corruption.
The most crucial component of satyagraha is to defend the truth without resorting to violence. The entire society should adopt this philosophy. Farmers protesting the Farm Law are also using non-violent methods to show their support for the Law.
3. Swaraj
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The capacity of all people to reject misuse of power constitutes true swaraj, not the power of a select few”. Swaraj is a very important concept in modern society. The economic, social and spiritual connotations of Swaraj are still significant in today’s society.
4. Swadeshi
Indigenous peoples are focused on their political and economic actions both within and outside of their communities. The interdependence between community and self-reliance is key. Gandhi’s swadeshi philosophy is still present in our society.
In the Covid era, India was experiencing a severe economic recession. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the second version of Swadeshi, “Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.
This form of Swadeshi aims to make India self-reliant. Swadeshi is the most effective way to liberate the country from hunger, poverty and unemployment.
5. Secularism
Gandhism was tolerant towards all religions. In societies where religion is used to justify violence, we need more people who are religious and tolerant.
Tolerance in society helps neutralise caste, religion, ethnicity and region. In the world, ethnic prejudices are a daily reality.
Different events continue to be held in order to promote the values of equality and secularism in our society. We see different religious differences. The secularism philosophy is what protects the country against another division.
Conclusion
Gandhi’s thoughts were an inspiration to society. Gandhi’s ideas and thoughts were a result of his life-long experiments with truths. This makes Gandhian thinking more important in today’s era. India must pay homage and follow the path of Gandhian philosophy in order to achieve superpower status.
