Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Date, History, Importance and Significance

Notably, on the day, political leaders pay homage at Raj Ghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi. His favourite songs, ‘Raghupati Raghava’ and ‘Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye’, are also sung on the occasion in various events as a tribute to the leader.

In his honour, the United Nation declared this day as the ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ on June 15, 2007.

Fondly called Bapu Ji, Gandhi completed his graduation from London and went to South Africa for practicing law where he saw miserable treatment being meted out to many Indian peasants in South Africa. Gandhi implemented the nonviolent Civil Disobedience Movement against the African officials. As he returned to India in 1915 and saw the state of affairs under the British Government with Indian peasants imposed with excessive taxes, he began protesting it.

In 1921, Gandhi became the leader of the Indian National Congress. Soon, he led multiple campaigns for attaining ‘Swaraj’ or self-rule for Indian workers through non-violence or Ahimsa.

He led the 400-km long Dandi Salt March to put an end to the salt tax. Later, with the Quit India Movement against the British rule in 1942, and persistent efforts led to India becoming a sovereign nation with Lord Mountbatten’s declaration of Partition.

He was assassinated on January 30, 1948.

Gandhi is remembered throughout the world for his contribution to not just India’s Freedom struggle but his principles of Ahimsa and Swaraj. While he didn’t directly participate in drafting the Indian Constitution which was a long process, his valuable outlook and ideas on social justice, decentralisation, and nonviolence had an influence on making the Constitution more inclusive.

Interestingly, October 2 is also a significant day as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was former Prime Minister of India. He was born on October 2, 1904. Shastri served as the second Prime Minister of India and is known for his role in leading India during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!