Gandhi’s Birthday Date: October 2
India celebrates Gandhi’s Birthday as a public holiday.
On October 2nd India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi‘s Birthday, or popularly known as Gandhi Jayanti, is a National Holiday in India.
History of Gandhi Jayanti in India
Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as the Father of the Nation was born on the 2nd of October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat, India. He spent in his early life in South Africa, after graduating from Law in London, where he practiced Law during which time he protested against the racial discrimination and the Transvaal Immigration Act with a new strategy of adopting non-violence as his only force. He returned to India in 1915 and was very actively involved in any activities that concerned the society as a whole. He was instrumental in emancipation of women in India and fought actively against untouchability (notions of superiority and inferiority by birth).
Gandhi’s contribution towards the Indian freedom struggle is invaluable and he achieved it through his principles of truth, non-violence and honesty which are still remembered to this day by millions of Indians and many across the globe. Gandhi is best known for his technique of “satyagraha” and always believed in the idea of ‘unity’ in diversity. To honor this great person the United Nations adopted a resolution on 15 June 2007 which declared that October 2 will be celebrated as the International
Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi Jayanti in India – Traditions, Customs and Activities
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India and is celebrated throughout the country. The President, Prime Minister and all eminent political leaders of India pay homage at Raj Ghat- the place where the Mahatma was cremated. All educational institutions, government offices and shops are closed on this day. Painting and Essay writing competitions are organized to spread his ideologies to the younger generation of India. Gandhi’s favourite devotional song, Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram is sung in his memory and his sincere followers abstain from consuming meat and alcohol on his Birthday.
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