Gandhi Jayanti

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For the Indian merchant ship named Gandhi Jayanti between 1963 and 1974, see MV Hannington Court (1954).

Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi statue at Ghantasala Music college Vijayawada, tentative, Gandhi Jayanti 2018.jpg
Gandhi statue at Ghantasala Music college Vijayawada, tentative
Observed byIndia
SignificanceHonours Mahatma Gandhi's role in Indian Independence.
ObservancesCommunity, historical celebrations.
Date2 October
Related toInternational Day of Non-Violence
Republic Day
Independence Day

Gandhi Jayanti is an event celebrated in India to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It is celebrated annually on 2 October, and it is one of the three national holidays of India. The UN General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that 2 October will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. He is also known as the "Father of The Nation" and this title was given to him by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for his relentless struggles for independence.[1]

Commemoration[]

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated yearly on 2 October.[2] It is a national holiday, observed in all of its states and territories. Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, including at Gandhi's memorial, Raj Ghat, in New Delhi where he was cremated. Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions. Painting and essay competitions are conducted and best awards are granted for projects in schools and the community encouraging a nonviolent way of life as well as celebrating Gandhi's effort in the Indian independence movement.[3] Gandhi's favourite Bhajan (Hindu devotional song), Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, is usually sung in his memory.[4] Statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout the country are decorated with flowers and garlands, and some people avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat on the day.[5] Public buildings, banks and post offices are closed.[5] On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Swachh Bharat Mission. Its second phase started on Gandhi Jayanti 2021.[6]

Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birthday events[]

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birthday in 2019, he was paid a number of tributes.

  • The Central Railway zone celebrated Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary Year by painting diesel locomotives with Mahatma Gandhi's picture on the backdrop of the national tricolour.[7]
  • In a tribute to Gandhi, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a coin of ₹150.[8] Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh also paid tributes at Rajghat. Congress workers took a mass oath to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi's vision. Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah flagged off the party's nationwide Gandhi Sankalp Yatra. In the evening, PM Modi visited Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to address 10,000 sarpanchs. He also declared India 'open defecation free' and success of the Swachh Bharat Mission and launch a war against plastic.
  • An exhibition titled ‘Picture Postcards for Gandhi’ to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution towards environment was held at M.F. Hussain Art Gallery of Jamia Millia Islamia.The exhibition was conceived, designed and curated by Prof. Farhat Basir Khan.[9][10]

Notes[]

  1. ^ "UN declares 2 October, Gandhi's birthday, as International Day of Non-Violence". United Nations. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Gandhi Jayanti: Who Is the Real Father of the World?". SA News Channel. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Gandhi Jayanti". Simon Fraser University. Retrieved 15 April 2006.
  4. ^ "Several programmes mark Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Mysore". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 February 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
  5. ^ a b "Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Towards a Swachh Bharat | Prime Minister of India". www.pmindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  7. ^ "indian-railways-pays-unique-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-on-his-150th-birth-anniversary-year". www.livemint.com. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  8. ^ "PM Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary". www.indiatoday.in. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  9. ^ "postcard-exhibition-depicts-gandhi-s-ideas-of-environment-conservation". Business Standard India. wap.business-standard.com. Press Trust of India. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  10. ^ "The exhibition was conceived, designed and curated by Prof. Farhat Basir Khan". www.outlookindia.com. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
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