Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi known as Mahatma Gandhi. mahatma Gandhiji was born on 2nd October 1869 , therefore each year Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on this day. It is observed in all states and union territories of India as one of the three official declared National Holidays of India. Every year Gandhi Jayanti Celebrated on 2nd October all over country.Many people celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's birthday across India.On this Day many people sing "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram", Gandhiji's favorite devotional song. Bunches of flowers or flower garlands are placed on many statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout India.
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi(Gandhiji) widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and the "Father of Nation," was born on 2nd October, 1869 , at Porbandar in Gujarat India.In his autobiography" My Experiments With Truth" Gandhiji recalls that his childhood and teenage years were characterized by education in a local school.He married Kasturba at the age of Thirteen.
At age of 18, he went to England to study law.In 1891, Gabdhiji returned to India and started practice at Rajkot.In 1893 , to plead a case of an Indian firm he went to South Africa at the age of twenty-four with his minor sons and Kasturba. Colonial and recial discrimination showed its ugly face in the famous train incident, when he was thrown off the first class compartment.During this more than two decades of stay in South Africa, Gandhi protested against the discriminating treatment that was meted out to Indians.He protested against the Asiatic(Black) Act and the Transvaal Immigration Act by starting his non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement.A ' satyagrahis' camp known as the Tolstoy Farm was established at Lawley, 21 miles from Johannesburg, on 30th May 1910, in order to shelter the 'satyagrahis' and their families.The South African Government had to heed to the voice of reason and in 1914 repealed most of the obnoxious Acts against the Indians.
The Weekly Indian Opinion became Gandhiji's chief organ of education and propaganda.Gandhiji returned to India in 1915.After an interrupted stay in Santiniketan in February-March 1915, Gandhiji gathered his companions of phoenix and established the Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad city.This was shshifted in June 1917 to the banks of Sabarmati.This Ashram become platform for carrying out his social reforms, prime among which were Harijan welfare, rehabilitation of lepers and self- reliance through weaving Khadi.
Between 1917 and 1918 , Gandhiji participated in two peasant movement in Champaran(Bihar) and Kheda(Gujarat) besides the labour dispute in Ahmedabad itself.World War I ended on 11th November 1918; Gandhi protested against the Rowlatt Bills and founded the Satyagraha Sabha(28 February 1919).The end of the World war also saw the dismemberment of the Khilafat.This hurt the Indian Muslims deeply.Gandhiji was approached for counsel and in a meeting of the All India Khilafat conference on November 24 1919 ,he proposed that India should respond non-violently through Non-Cooperation.
For Gandhiji 'non-violence and truth were two inalienable virtues.He summed up the entire philosophy of his life as:
" The only virtue I want to claim is truth and non-violence.I lay no claim to super human powers, I want none".
The year 1926 was declared by Gandhi to be his year of silence.His famous march to Dandi in March 1930 started a countrywide movement to violate the Salt-Law.Gandhiji was arrested on 4th May, 1930, and Government struck hard to crush the movement, but failed.So Gandhiji was set free on 26th January 1931; and following a pact between him and the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin(5th Ma rch1931). he was prevailed upon to represent the Congress at the second Round Table Conference in London.Gandhiji was completely disillusioned with the attitude of the British, which had renewed its policy of ruthless repression.As a result, the Civil Disobedience Movement was resumed in January 1932 .Gandhiji was in prison when the Communal Award was announced in August 1932, providing for the introduction of separate electorate for the Depressed Classes.He opposed this attempt to divide the Hindu community and threatened to fast unto death to prevent it.He started his fast on 20th September 1932 creating consternation in the country.But the situation was saved by the conclusion of the Poona Pact, which provided for special reservation of seats for the Depressed Classes in legislatures, but under joint electorate.
On 8th May 1933 he announced a fast for 21 days the Harijan.After coming out of prison Gandhi devoted himself exclusively to the cause of the 'Harijans'.The weekly Harijan now took the place of the Young India, which had served the national cause from 1919 to 1932.After 1934, Gandhi settled down in Sevagram near Wardha to from a new Centre for his enlarged Constructive Programme, which included Basic Education (1937), desined to bring about the universalisation of education.
In 1942, his 'Quite India' slogan was to serve as the final signal to British dominion in India.The partition of India and Pakistan came as a personal shock to Gandhiji.when the nation was rejoicing independence(1947), Gandhi went to Noakhali to ameliorate the conditions of the communal riot victims.On 30th January 1948, Gandhiji was assassinated in New Delhi.The man of the century had the courage and spirit of fearlessness.His life and teachings reflect the values of this country and the values of humanity.He had been a beacon light to an army offreedom fighters who practised non-violence in word and deed.
Mahatma Gandhi was a man of simple living and high thinking which reflects in Gandhi Jayanti with the festivities are sober and simple.A prayer meeting is held at Rajghat, Gandhi's samadhi in New Delhi.To mark respect, that Gandhiji had for all the religions and communities, representatives from different religions take part in it.Gandhi Jayanti is observed all over the country, both in Government and non Government.
