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             Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, one of the most famous freedom fighters of India. Also known as Bapu (meaning father in Gujarati), Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar in the state of Gujarat.

Gandhi Ji got the apt prefix to his name ‘Mahatma’, from one of the greatest Indian poets, Rabrindranath Tagore, Mahatma literally translates to “Great Soul”, Maha means great and Atma means soul in Sanskrit. However, Gandhi, one of the most humble and modest person, in his biography, admits he did not find himself worthy of the title and was often pained and upset by it.

Gandhi Ji was the epitome of peace, non-violence, truth and duty. He practiced everything he preached, the common people appreciated his beliefs and ideals during the struggle for independence, and by the end of it Gandhi Ji had the whole nation following in his footsteps, adopting his beliefs as theirs and spreading his words all through the nation. This love, respect and faith he got from the people of his country even got him the title “Father of the Nation”. Till today this title exclusively sticks to him for if it wasn’t for his pure values and methods, India would not have gained her freedom from the British rule when she did.

It is because of his contribution, his values, his methods, his dedication and love for his country that India celebrates the birthday of one of the greatest people in the history of India, Mahatma Gandhi on 2 October, every year as Gandhi Jayanti. It is one of the Three National Holidays’ of India, the other two being Republic Day on 26 January and Independence Day on 15 August.

The United Nations General Assembly declared Mahatma Gandhi’s birth date, October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence in the year 2007.

Mahatma Gandhi – Birth and Life

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 to Karamchand and Putlibai Gandhi in Porbandar, British Indian Empire, now in the state of Gujarat. His father Karamchand was a chief minister (diwan) of Porbandar State. Gandhi Ji was born to Putlibai, the 4th wife of Karamchand whose three wives had all died during childbirth.

Gandhi finished his schooling from Alfred High School, Rajkot and then went on to finish his degree in law at University College London in 1888. He studied Indian Law and Jurisprudence at the university and went on to practice as a barrister at the Inner Temple. 

Gandhi’s Struggle and Movements for Freedom

Mahatma Gandhi initiated some of the most important and historic movements during the struggle for Independence, one of the most important one in the history of Indian struggle for independence was the Satyagraha Movement. It was based on Gandhi’s belief that God is the Truth and Truth is God. The movement is best described as a silent force, that eliminates rivalries and bad blood, by not fighting back or being affected by others as that would only harm you, but instead, taking the moral high that would only purify you and bring you closer to the truth, which is God.

Some of the Freedom Movements initiated by Mahatma Gandhi were the Civil Rights Movement in South Africa, Ahimsa – Non-violence, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Khilafat Movement, Swaraj – Self Rule, Salt Satyagraha – Salt March and his opposition to Child Marriage, Untouchables, Purdah, Oppression of Hindu Widows and numerous other social causes that were a great concern.

Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu Nationalist. He held Mahatma Gandhi responsible for weakening India and supporting Pakistan, and he strongly opposed Gandhi’s belief of Non-Violence. 

Gandhi’s death was mourned nation wide and 30th January is observed as Martyr’s Day in India and as School-day of Non-Violence and Peace in the schools of many countries. 

Celebrating Gandhi Jayanti 2013

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, is one of the three National Holidays of India aside from, Independence Day and Republic Day. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions, government and non-government organizations, shops and markets are all closed on this day.

To celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, nation-wide prayer meetings are organized and stories of Gandhi Ji and his role in the Indian Freedom Struggle are narrated. A special prayer ceremony is held at Gandhiji’s Memorial at Rajghat. His favorite Bhajan (Holy Song), Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram is played almost everywhere in his remembrance.


Famous Quotes by Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji’s eloquence was admirable if nothing else. The things he said, even if it was just a sentence, it held great meaning and value. We have abundant books quoting Gandhi’s verses and words.

In regard to his belief in Non-violence, Gandhi Ji said, “ An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Isn’t that just brilliant and thought provoking?