When did the Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India start?
About Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India Holiday
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is an important holiday celebrated in India, commemorating the birth of one of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The celebrations take place annually on the second of October, the day on which Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat in 1869.
Every year on this special day, people of India come together to celebrate the great life and legacy of Gandhi, who is revered for his achievements in leading the independence movement of India. As an advocate for peace, nonviolence, and civil rights, Mahatma Gandhi is a constant source of inspiration for the Indian people. The day has been declared a national holiday by the Indian government to honour the Satyagraha leader, and numerous activities such as speeches, interactive sessions, and quiz competitions take place in his name.
The celebration of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is a special occasion to reflect on the lessons he preached and to re-ignite commitment to the values he held so dearly. It is also a time for the nation to recognize its debt of gratitude and venerate thhis great man, who strived for and engaged in the betterment of India. The people of India pay homage to this great man who was and shall remain an icon to the entire nation.
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India: History and Origin
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, the annual celebration of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, is one of the most important holidays in India. It is celebrated on October 2 each year in remembrance of one of the most influential political and spiritual leaders of modern India — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi — also known as Mahatma Gandhi.
The holiday was established in the wake of Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, after India won its independence from the British. The All India Congress Committee designated October 2 as a national holiday in 1949 to honor and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi for his unwavering commitment to nonviolence and his struggle for freedom in India.
The holiday is celebrated throughout India with great fervor. People gather in their homes, temples, and public spaces to commemorate Gandhi’s life and teachings. Large public gatherings are held in New Delhi, where his ashes are kept in the Gandhi Smriti. The day has also come to symbolize national unity and patriotism, and has been anointed a ‘Goodwill Day’ to honor Gandhi’s legacy.
Significance and Meaning
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti symbolizes the values that Gandhi stood for — peace, brotherhood, non-violence, and tolerance. Gandhi’s teachings of non-violence and equality were paramount in his campaign for India’s independence and for civil rights for all citizens. His message of unity and brotherhood throughout all of India remains an incredibly powerful reminder of his legacy today.
The holiday serves as an opportunity for dialogue and introspection, and for people to express their thoughts and feelings on the life and teachings of Gandhi. It is a way to celebrate his tireless work for social justice in India.
Traditions and Celebrations
On Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti many government buildings fly the Indian flag and organize parades, rallies, and other cultural activities to commemorate Gandhi’s life and teachings. Political leaders, community organizers, and prominent citizens deliver speeches sharing their thoughts on Gandhi and his influence on India.
Special prayers and gatherings are held at temples across India. Children participate in cultural activities such as art competitions, essay writing, and debates in school about Gandhi’s teachings. Citizens of all religions come together to pay homage to Gandhi, and his birthday is declared an official holiday in most Indian states.
On the eve of the holiday, the tradition of ‘charkha spinning’ is especially common throughout India. Citizens take up the spinning wheel to represent Gandhi’s commitment to spinning as a means of self-sufficiency and progress. People of all ages and religions are encouraged to take part in the ritual as a symbol of unity.
Geographical Spread
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated throughout India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
In Maharashtra, the holiday is an especially significant one, and many citizens participate in Gandhi Smarak Yatras — a grand procession — to honor Gandhi’s memory and teachings. Large gatherings are held at Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s last resting place, where his followers and admirers recite excerpts from his writings and speeches.
In Tamil Nadu, further commemorations such as Gandhi Sangamam — a gathering of like-minded people — and peace marches are held. The holiday is also celebrated in Karnataka and Varanasi as people organize special prayer meetings honoring Gandhi’s memory and legacy.
Modern Day Observations
Modern day observances of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti remain largely the same as past celebrations, but with some modern twists. Many towns and cities plan morning marathons in order to pay tribute to Gandhi’s philosophy of healthy living and his commitment to physical fitness.
The holiday also pays more focus on Gandhi’s teachings of cleanliness and sanitation, with many towns and cities organizing cleanliness drives on the day. Large rallies are also organized in order to raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental protection and conservation, as another way to pay homage to Gandhi’s philosophy of being in harmony with nature.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
• Mahatma Gandhi was born to Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai Gandhi on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat.
• He was awarded the prestigious ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1948, India’s highest honor.
• Gandhi studied the history of India’s independence struggle in London after a brief period of working as a lawyer.
• In April 1893, Gandhi settled in South Africa to serve as a legal representative of the Indian community.
• The day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, January 30, 1948, is now known as Martyrs’ day.
• He is reported to have said “A ‘no’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.”
• He wrote an autobiography titled “The Story of My Experiments with Truth.”
• Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times between 1937 and 1948.
• The United Nations observes October 2 as the International Non-violence Day.
• Mahatma Gandhi adopted the spinning wheel as his personal symbol.
• He used to observe a sparse lifestyle and had limited furniture in any of his residences.
• Mahatma Gandhi wrote several books in his lifetime such as The Story of My Experiments with Truth, All Men are Brothers, Key to Health, An Autobiography and The Law and the Lawyers.
• The leader is believed to have said “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is thereervice of the strong.”
• Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, on January 30, 1948.
• His ashes were scattered in various rivers across India such as the Ganges, the Nile and the Thames.
Holiday Wishes
1. Wishing you and your family peace and prosperity on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti.
2. May the resilience and tenacity of the great Mahatma Gandhi inspire you to take up any cause and never give up on your dreams.
3. May this day inspire you to always have faith in non-violence and do the right thing.
4. May Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy always guide you and give you strength.
5. May the power of truth and peace fill your life with joy and happiness.
Holiday Messages
1. Today, let us pay tribute to the Mahatma and remember his commitment to non-violence and equal rights for all.
2. Let us dedicate this day to following his path of peacefulness and intuitiveness.
3. Celebrate the Mahatma’s teachings and carry his message of service to others forward.
4. Let us end injustice with the power of non-violence and uphold Gandhi’s spirit of truth and justice.
5. Today, let us come together to honor the Mahatma and strive to create a better world.
Holiday Quotes
1. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
2. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
3. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” — Mahatma Gandhi
4. “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
5. “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Other Popular Holiday Info
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti also serves as a reminder of how Gandhi’s vision of swaraj or ‘self-rule’, his commitment to “ahimsa” or non-violence, and his unwavering dedication to truth and justice have become India’s national ideals and have gone on to inspire generations of political and social activists.
In 2019, UN Peace Day was celebrated in recognition of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Gandhi for Sustainable Future’, and focused on how his thoughts, ideals and lifestyle could be applied in order to create a sustainable future for the entire world.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said in his speech on that day, “we salute the Father of the Nation, whose life, ideals and thoughts continue to inspire the entire world.” For India, Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings remain an integral part of nation-building and are celebrated on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti each year.
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India Also Called
Gandhi Jayanti or National Gandhi Jayanti.
FUN FACT:
In year 1948, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India is celebrated on October 2 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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