Gandhi Jayanti 2021: Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2 October every year in India. There is no doubt that Gandhiji fought against the British throughout his life for freedom. His life is an inspiration in itself. Let us study through this article what is the significance of Gandhiji and his birthday ( Mahatma Gandhi Birthday ), how Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated etc.
Gandhi Jayanti 2021: Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian national movement who raised his voice against the British rule by following the path of non-violence. He has also gained international fame for his theory of nonviolent protest. There is no doubt that Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement.
Do you know that Mahatma Gandhi was given the title of Mahatma by Rabindranath Tagore and the title of Gurudev was given by Gandhiji to Rabindranath Tagore.
Gandhi Jayanti is one of the 3 national holidays of India, but why is it celebrated only on 2 October and what is its significance? Let us study through this article.
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What is the significance of Gandhi Jayanti?
The contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in teaching this world the lesson of peace and non-violence is parallel. His teaching is that all conflicts should be resolved through non-violence.
At the same time, every small and big problem of this world should be solved with peace and non-violence so that a better environment can be created for the people to live.
Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?
Mahatma Gandhi's full name is Mohandas Karam Chandra Gandhi, and he was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He is also known as Bapu, or the Father of the Nation.
Mahatma Gandhi was the person who fought against the British throughout his life for the independence of India.
His goal was to create a new society based on nonviolence, honesty, and cleanliness.
He used to say that non-violence is a philosophy, a principle and an experience on the basis of which it is possible to build a better society.
According to him every person living in the society should get equal status and rights irrespective of their gender, religion, color or caste.
In India and across the world, Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as the best ideal of leading a simple life with simplicity and dedication. His principles have been adopted by the entire world. His life is an inspiration in itself. That is why Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated as a national holiday on his birthday i.e. 2nd October.
According to the National and Festive Holidays Act 1963, there is a provision to give one full day holiday to every employee in every calendar year on 26 January, 15 August, 2 October, 1 May and five other holidays.
Not only this, his birthday is also celebrated as International Day of Non-Violence. The United Nations General Assembly declared October 2nd as the International Day of Nonviolence on June 15, 2007.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. For the first time in the history of India, he requested the people to not only celebrate this day as a holiday, but also to take the oath of "Swachh Abhiyan" program and help to keep India clean.
How is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated in India?
In India, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated as a national holiday with prayer meetings and tributes being paid in front of the Gandhi statue at Rajghat, New Delhi.
Prayers are offered in the presence of the President and Prime Minister of India at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated.
His most favorite and devotional song Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram is remembered in his memory.
This day is also organized all over India as International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated a day before in most of the schools. All these celebrations influenced the principles of life that Gandhiji laid down: discipline, peace, honesty, non-violence and faith.
"First he will ignore you, then laugh at you, then fight you and then you will win" - Mahatma Gandhi
People in many places in India sing Bapu's famous song "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram", offer prayers and pay homage to Gandhiji through memorial ceremonies.
Art, science exhibitions and essay competitions are organized on this day. Also awards and honors are given for promoting non-violence and peace.
Important facts about Mahatma Gandhi
- Mahatma Gandhi's father's name was Karamchand Gandhi and mother's name was Putlibai, who was the fourth wife of Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi was the last child of his father's fourth wife. His father was the Diwan of a small princely state (Porbandar) of Kathiawar during the British Raj.
- In the year 1883, as soon as he completed the age of 13 and a half years, he was married to 14 year old Kasturba. Mohandas and Kasturba had four children, all of whom were sons.
- During his stay in South Africa, Gandhi helped in the Anglo Boer War of 1899 as a health worker. But seeing the terrible picture of war, he decided to raise his voice against violence and thus he started on the path of non-violence,
- Gandhi's civil rights movement had reached a total of 4 continents and 12 countries.
- Gandhi helped establish three football clubs in South Africa in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. All three clubs had the same name - "Passive Resistance Soccer Club"
- During his visit to England in the year 1931, Gandhi gave a speech to America for the first time on radio. His first words on the radio were "Do I have to speak (in the microphone)?" "Do I have to talk about this?"
- Do you know that in the year 1930, he was awarded "Most Important Person of the Year" by America's prestigious Time Magazine.
- Subhash Chandra Bose bestowed the title "Father of the Nation" on Mahatma Gandhi.
- Gandhi was shot dead on 30 January 1948 by a person named Nathuram Goudse.
- Mahatma Gandhi's funeral procession was 8 kilometres long.
- Gandhiji described the philosophy and his way of life in his autobiography "The Story of My Experiments with Truth".
It would not be wrong to say that various activities like competitions, games, speeches are organized in schools, colleges and other educational institutions of India on topics like non-violence and Gandhiji's efforts in Indian freedom struggle. There is no doubt that Gandhiji is an ideal and inspirational leader for the youth. Gandhiji did an outstanding job in achieving Swaraj. He also improved the economic condition of the farmers and played a major role in removing other social evils like untouchability or untouchability from the society. She also supported women empowerment. He was a great leader. Therefore, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2 October to promote his principles in the country.
Mahatma Gandhi Quotes
"A man is not known by his clothes but by his character" - Mahatma Gandhi
"Whatever you do may be less important, but the most important thing is that you do something" - Mahatma Gandhi
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