Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Gandhi Jayanti:
Gandhi Jayanti is an annual observance in India that commemorates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of nonviolent civil disobedience. Celebrated on October 2nd every year, Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India, marked by various events and activities to honor the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
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| Gandhi Jayanti |
Key aspects of Gandhi Jayanti include:
1. Birth Anniversary:
Gandhi Jayanti marks the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.
2. National Holiday:
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India, and government offices, schools, and many businesses are closed to commemorate the occasion.
3. Prayer Meetings and Ceremonies:
Prayer meetings are organized at various locations, including Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat in Delhi. These gatherings typically include prayers, devotional songs, and remembrances of Gandhi's teachings.
4. Tributes and Homage:
People across the country pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by offering flowers at his statues and memorials. Cultural programs, seminars, and discussions on his life and philosophy are also organized.
5. Gandhi Jayanti Pledge:
On this day, a Gandhi Jayanti pledge is often administered in schools and public gatherings, emphasizing the values of truth, nonviolence, and social harmony.
6. Cleanliness and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:
October 2nd is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations. In alignment with Mahatma Gandhi's emphasis on cleanliness, the day is often linked to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission).
7. Educational Programs:
Schools and educational institutions organize special programs to educate students about Mahatma Gandhi's life, principles, and his role in India's struggle for independence.
8. Peace Walks and Rallies:
Peace walks, rallies, and marches are organized in various cities, promoting the ideals of nonviolence and communal harmony that Gandhi espoused.
9. Gandhi's Favorite Bhajan:
Mahatma Gandhi had a favorite devotional song, "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram." On Gandhi Jayanti, this bhajan is often sung in his honor.
10. Reflecting on Gandhi's Principles:
Gandhi Jayanti serves as an occasion for individuals to reflect on the enduring relevance of Gandhi's principles, including nonviolence, truth, simplicity, and the pursuit of social justice.
11. Acts of Service:
In the spirit of Gandhi's emphasis on service to others, people often engage in acts of kindness, community service, and social initiatives on this day.
Gandhi Jayanti is not only a day to remember Mahatma Gandhi but also an opportunity for individuals to recommit themselves to the values he stood for. The teachings of Gandhi, often referred to as Gandhian philosophy, continue to inspire movements for peace, justice, and human rights globally. The day encourages people to strive for a world guided by principles of nonviolence, tolerance, and equality.