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Gandhi Jayanti is an annual celebration held in India on October 2nd of every year. It is a national holiday in the country that marks the birthday of Gandhi, who is called the ‘Father of the Nation.’ The celebration of Gandhi Jayanti is an honor and tribute from the people of India to Gandhi who was an icon of the independence of India. The nation pays homage to this great legend Gandhi as a remembrance for his contributions towards the freedom struggle of India.
“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
History Behind the Day
The birthday of Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti or Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India. He is also called the Father of the Nation, Gandhiji, Gandhi, Bapu. He was born in Porbandar, a small town in Gujarat on October 2, 1869. His father was Karamchand Gandhi, and his mother was Putlibai. Gandhi attended the middle school in Porbandar and high school in Rajkot. He married Kasturba at the age of 13. Gandhi studied law in the United Kingdom and went to South Africa to practice as a lawyer. He then left his practice and returned to the homeland due to his love for his country and to fight for the freedom of his people. He was both a political as well as spiritual leader in India who had played a vital role in the Indian Independence movement.
Gandhi Jayanti is one of the three national holidays of the country celebrated by all the people. He had given the nation and the world the principles of truth, non-violence, and honesty. Gandhiji is an iconic figure in and around the country which is known for his unique practices of non-violence or ahimsa. He believed in “Satyagraha,” the philosophy of truth, and in the power of nonviolence. He adopted these beliefs in his leadership, and it helped in achieving India’s Independence. Gandhi had a true love for both truth and duty. He proved to the world that freedom could be attained through the path of non-violence which is certainly the most powerful method of obtaining the goals. October 2nd has also been honored by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the International Day of Non- Violence.
During the 1890s, when Gandhi was in South Africa he was subjected to the injustice of colonial imperialism in the nation. He was a victim of racial discrimination and social bigotry. It impacted not only him but also the country which led to his social activism. In 1894, he formed the Natal Indian Congress in South Africa with the help of the Indian community. It had later, molded into an active political party in the country. In 1906, his political members involved in a peaceful protest were subjected to violent treatment by the local government, which made him formed the idea of “Satyagraha,” which means the force of truth.
When Gandhi left Africa for India, he witnessed the same in his country. He then carried out the same to help people protest against the dominance of the British Raj. Gandhi is known for his non-violent civil disobedience in countries like India and South Africa. It included the origin of the non-cooperation movement in the year 1922 and the Salt Satyagraha, or Dandi March held on March 12, 1930. Gandhiji had not only left a tremendous impact on the nation’s revolts for freedom, but he has also debuted ideology, philosophy, charitable acts, and great teachings. Through Gandhi’s efforts, India finally gained its independence on August 15, 1947.
Happy Gandhi Jayanti Images
Happy Gandhi Jayanti Quotes
‘Seven social sins : politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity and worship without sacrifice.’
‘An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied progration,nor does trouyh become error because nobody see it. Truth stands,even if there be no public support . it is self sustained.’
‘An eye for an eye will only make the whole blind.’
‘When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and fir a time, they can seem invincible but in the end they always fall. Think of it -always.’
‘Our beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your word become your actions,Your action become your habit, Your habit become your values, your values become your destiny’
‘You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean not become dirty.’
‘Each night, when I go to sleep,I die.And the next morning, When I wake up, I am reborn.’
‘You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.-Ahimsa means not to injure any creature by thought, word or deed, not even to the supposed advantage of this creature.’
‘A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.-Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected.-Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.’
‘You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress.’
Other Celebrations on October 2
October 2 is also celebrated as
- World Farm Animals Day
- National Custodial Worker Day
- National Name Your Car Day
- International Day of Non-Violence
- World Habitat Day
- World Day of Bullying Prevention
- World Architecture Day
How to Celebrate Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated in all parts of the country. Special events will be organized at Raj Ghat, New Delhi where Gandhiji was cremated. It is declared as a national holiday. Schools, colleges, offices, and other institutions remain closed on this day. People pray, pay homage, and sing “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patit Pavan Sita Ram” which is Gandhiji’s favorite song. Wear clothes made in India as Gandhiji encouraged people to wear spin and weave cotton cloth. Read his autobiography to know more about Gandhi. Post and share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #HappyGandhiJayanti.
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