Gandhi Jayanti: Honours Mahatma Gandhi's role in Indian Independence.

“You must not lose faith in humanity,” said Mahatma Gandhi. “Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” 

These were the words of Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi), one of the greatest leaders in history, recognized the world over for his teachings on peace and nonviolence. On his birth anniversary, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, we pay a historic tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by way of celebration, prayers and understanding the Gandhian principles of nonviolence and peace.

This day is celebrated in the honor of the birthday of the Father of the nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bapuji. Internationally this day is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence as Gandhiji was the preacher of non-violence. He is a symbol of peace and truth.

Gandhiji was born on 2nd October 1869, in Porbunder, a small town in Gujarat. He studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. In his autobiography "My experiments with Truth" Gandhiji described his childhood and teen age years, his marriage with Kasturba at the age of 13 and a sheer dedication for his mother land. He has set an example of simple living and high thinking. He was against the addictions like smoking, drinking and non-vegetarianism.

Gandhiji was a pioneer of truth and non-violence. He started the 'Satyagraha' movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He played a very significant role in achieving independence for India from British rule. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of total non-violence.

The President and the Prime Minister, along with other political leaders, pay homage at Raj Ghat, the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi. To honour Gandhi's respect for all religions and communities, representatives from different religions take part in the prayer meeting held at Raj Ghat. Prayers and Verses are read out from Holy books of all religions. Mahatma Gandhi's favourite song 'Raghupati Raghava' is customarily sung at all meetings associated with him. This day is observed as national holiday across all the states and territories of Republic of India. It is also one of 3 official national holidays of India which are 26 January (Republic Day) and 15 August (Independence Day) declared as public holidays.

On this national day, all the Govt. offices, banking, and postal services (excluding the emerging services) are normally closed to remember the great the son of Mother India. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated all over the country and in both government and non-government organizations. Since it's a national holiday all schools, colleges and offices all over the country remain closed.Private companies mark as holiday with opening of emergency services like medical, health care, and transport service for urgent needs of the public. However, most of the school, college, university and education institutes organise essay completion, quiz, public debate related on life and history of Mahatma Gandhi. There are cultural functions from the Govt. and private organizations, TV Channels and media circles to celebrate the learning and quotes by Gandhiji.

International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations

On 15 June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly announced by adopted a resolution which declared that 2 October will be observed as the International Day of Non-Violence in the world. On this day, there are so many public debates arranged by the United Nations offices in various cities of the world.

In India, Gandhi Jayanti official celebration starts with a prayer services at Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s memorial (his cremated place) in New Delhi. National slogans like ‘Vande Mataram, Jai Hind and Satyamev Jayate’ are given with prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by local government institutions and educational institutions and political parties. Favourite painting competitions are conducted among the children with prizes given for projects in schools for peace, non-violence. A Hindu devotional song “Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram” is usually sung in his memory which Gandhi’s favourite Bhajan of spiritual.

People lighting candles and offering flowers on Gandhi’s statue or photo in all parts of India. Remembering his patriotic and philosophy which inspires all the Indian freedom for Independence of India from the British. Awards are given to important personalities for glorifying non-violence and peace of Gandhi’s ideology. There are 3 most important places of Mahatma Gandhi. Please travel the following historical places which explore you more about the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sabarmati Asharm – The place of the Gandhi’s most of the life living.
Martyr’s Column at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi – Here Gandhi was shot down.
Raj Ghat on banks of river Yamuna in Delhi – The place of his cremation.

The Salt March of 1930

On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi embarked a historic Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat's Ahmedabad to the village of Dandi in the state's coastal area to protest against the steep tax the British levied on salt. The significant march came to be known as Dandi March or Salt March, also referred as the Dandi Satyagraha. The Salt March was a The 24-day Salt March, which was non-violent in nature, is historically significant as it led to the mass Civil Disobedience Movement.

• The Salt March began on March 12, 1930 and continued till April 6, 1930. It was a 24-day non-violent march led by Mahatma Gandhi.
• During that time, the British had prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt. Indians were also forced to buy the staple diet ingredient from the British, who, not only exercised monopoly over its manufacture and sale but also levied a heavy salt tax. The Salt March was a collective beginning of a mass resistance movement against the British tyranny.
•  Upon reaching the seashore in Dandi, Mahatma Gandhi broke the law by producing illegal salt. This later turned into a mass civil disobedience movement throughout India as millions broke salt laws by either making salt or buying illegal salt.
• The Salt March began with around 80 people, but as more and more people joined in for the 390 km-long journey, it grew into a strong force of 50,000 people.
• The Salt March got national and international recognition and shook the Britishers with its non-violent nature. It got massive press coverage and drew the world's attention towards the Indian Independence Movement.

AFTERMATH OF DANDI MARCH (SALT MARCH)

Gandhiji’s salt satyagraha led to series of similar movement across the country, defiance of salt laws started everywhere. C. Rajagopalachari in Tamil Nadu led a movement in defiance of salt laws, similar movements took place in Bengal, Andhra, and other places. Government’s initial decision to not arrest Gandhi for breaking the salt laws let to the formation of a popular opinion that government was afraid of such movements. Jawaharlal Nehru’s arrest on 14th April 1930, for defiance of salt laws, led to massive protest and demonstration in all major cities at that time. The arrest of Congress leaders in North-West Frontier Province led to a mass demonstration in Peshawar. Finally, Gandhi was arrested on the midnight of 4-5 May. News of his arrest stirred thousands of people to join the movement. Leaders like Sarojini Naidu continued the movement where they had to suffer police brutality. The Satyagraha continued for a year until Gandhi was released from jail. Finally, Gandhi was released in January 1931 and began negotiations with Lord Irwin regarding the Satyagraha. Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed on 5th March 1931, this led Gandhi to attend the second round table conference in London.

 The ‘Polish Gandhian’

For example, the 1980 fight against Communism in Poland was based on the principle of nonviolence. Led by Lech Walesa, the ‘Polish Gandhian’ as he was called, the movement held strikes to demand a free trade union. These efforts helped bring an end to the Polish Communist regime in 1989.

People power in the Philippines

In 1986 the Filipino People Power movement, under the leadership of Cardinal Jaime Sin, played a key role in the fall of President Marcos’ dictatorship.

The end of Soviet Rule in Czechoslovakia

A few years later, nonviolent struggles brought down Soviet rule in Czechoslovakia. This was followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany and freedom for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 1991.

The end of South African apartheid

In 1990, nonviolent protests and mass resistance against apartheid in South Africa, along with international demands, led to Nelson Mandela being freed and elected President of the nation. Mandela’s leadership, based on absolute faith in Gandhi’s nonviolence, saw apartheid successfully ousted from South Africa.

The Arab Spring

More recently, nonviolence featured prominently in the peaceful drive for democracy and human rights known as the 2011 Arab Spring. Peaceful protestors gathered to end decades of autocratic and oppressive rule in the Middle East. The movement ultimately spread to five countries: Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria.

In all these cases, violence was employed by oppressive regimes to control people in order to attain their own objectives. Protestors proved that peace and nonviolence can be more powerful and effective in managing conflicts — using ingenuity, vision, patience and dedication.