Gandhi Jayanti – 2nd October 2020
An important day in India to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2nd every year. The day is declared as a national holiday by the government of India.
He is known as the father of our nation. He was the pioneer in India’s struggle for achieving freedom from British rule. On this day all schools, offices, government organisations, banks and post offices are closed as a public holiday.
This article focuses on many factors of Gandhi Jayanti 2020 like the history of the day, the significance behind celebrations, themes, types of celebration and FAQs. Let us go with each section one by one.
Gandhi Jayanti 2020 – History
India would be celebrating the 151st anniversary of Gandhi Jayanti this year. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.
Every year the government of India celebrates this day as a national holiday in all its cities, states and union territories. Our country has declared three days as national holidays – Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
In the year 2007, the UN General Assembly declared October 2nd as International Day of Non-violence. For India, Mahatma Gandhi played a very significant role in achieving independence for the nation.
Gandhi’s principles were an asset to the country. He believed in ideals of non-violence, peace and always spoke the truth. People celebrate his preaching even to this day.
Gandhiji launched an effective campaign against British rule. Some of the prominent among them are Dandi march, Salt Satyagraha, Non-Co-operation movement etc. He was a great leader who led the Quit India movement and forced the British though peaceful protests to leave our soil permanently.
Through Mahatma, Gandhi returned from South Africa, he plunged into India’s freedom struggle and shaped our country’s future. His contribution towards India’s freedom struggle is immense and can’t be measured in a few words.
Significance of Gandhi Jayanti 2020
Gandhiji was a true champion of many protests that he led. One of his earliest criticisms was against the practice of racism in South Africa. In 1915 when Gandhiji came back to India after his tenure at South Africa, he associated himself with poor farmers and fought against the illegal discrimination of the tax system.
The year 1921 saw a very insightful Gandhi as he came up with a new term called “Swaraj” or independence for our nation. He took over the reins of Indian National Congress and led the party to agitate continuously against British atrocities.
Gandhiji didn’t advocate any particular religion for the nation. He believed humanity is above all religions and set up a multi-religion economy for the nation.
After the country gained independence, the dark horrors of partition shook the country again. Gandhiji peacefully sat on hunger protests to stop religious barbarism on both sides, India and Pakistan.
At that time, Gandhiji was in his late 70’s, yet he refused to step back from his religious protests. When tension between the nations became stiff, Gandhiji went forward to make a peace alliance with the nation.
On this account, he was declared as a pro-Muslim activist. Misunderstandings grew against Gandhiji and on a fateful day in 1948, he was killed by Nathuram Godse.
Gandhiji worked hard throughout his life to establish world peace. His efforts were respected by many great stalwarts like Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr etc. He appreciated the efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and stood for women empowerment. Gandhiji liberated women’s rights by breaking age-old social customs and orthodox practices.
Gandhi Jayanti 2020 Themes
Every year Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated not as a one-day observance. The central government usually plans to honour his memory for almost a year. Below we present six themes that were highlighted for the year 2018. Each theme came to be implemented month-wise. The six themes are listed below:
- Improving sanitation facilities
- Practising non-violence in our conduct
- Providing relentless services to our community
- Maintaining unity among all classes of people.
- Abolishing any trace of orthodox practices like untouchability
- Empowering and providing financial independence to women.
The government ensured enough propaganda for all the themes not just within our country but outside India as well. Many international communities took part in commemorating these themes according to their month of implementation. The themes were brought in place from October 2018 and continued till March 2019.
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
Gandhi Jayanti is one such national holiday where people unite and stand together for the ideals and values brought forward by Mahatma Gandhiji. Different people celebrate this day in various unique ways; some of them are discussed below:
- Prayer meet by top brass politicians and dignitaries at Raj Ghat is the most important highlight of the day. The most endearing song remembered in Gandhiji’s name, Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram is played throughout in his memory. The Prime Minister and President of India visit the Raj Ghat on this day and offer their respects to the father of the nation.
- Schools and educational institutions conduct various cultural programs along with important with spreading awareness on Gandhiji’s life for the student community.
- The online forums and digital platforms post their most inspirational quotes by Gandhiji.
- Not just at Raj Ghat, the common citizens also participate in making the day special. This includes singing remembrance songs at public events, artwork dedicated to the late Mahatma, exhibition portraying Gandhi’s life and sacrifice. People make it a point to garland Gandhiji’s statue with fresh and fragrant flowers.
- The UN celebrates this day as International Non-Violence Day and spreads awareness on Gandhian ethics and values.
Conclusion
One of the most distinguished events celebrated by the public is Gandhi Jayanti. At road corners, important junctions and big hoardings, we can see the Mahatma re-living on his big day.
We should stand for the principles he taught the citizens of this nation. Gandhi Jayanti is not merely observed by politicians of this country. But every citizen who accepts him as an exemplary personality should choose to remember our father of the nation and work towards making his dreams a reality.
A small step taken to follow Gandhian teachings shall change the way the world operates and fills them with love and universal brotherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated at Raj Ghat, schools and colleges, public events and common citizens by bringing back memories of Gandhiji alive once again.
2. Who started Gandhi Jayanti?
There is no factual proof of this. Yet, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru sought to declare Gandhi Jayanti as a national holiday in the year 1955.
3. When is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2nd every year.
4. What is Gandhi Jayanti?
Gandhi Jayanti is a special day to remember Gandhiji’s contribution in achieving freedom for our country from British rule. October 2nd is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji.
5. Why do we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti?
We have to teach our next generation to follow the preaching and values of Gandhiji. In order to build a society that is free from orthodox blind beliefs and rigid practices, people need to read and understand his values. We can celebrate his teachings and beliefs at schools, community events etc.
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