Thursday, October 1, 2009

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti


Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2nd October every year as the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of India. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the apostle of peace was born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. He was married to a Kasturba Gandhi at the age of 13 and is known for his invaluable contribution to win back India's freedom from the hands of the British while following the principles of truth, honesty and non-violence. During his stay in South Africa earlier in life, he protested against the colonial and racial discrimination and the Asiatic (Black) Act and the Transvaal Immigration Act with the aid of a brilliant strategic move of starting a non-violent civil disobedience movement. He returned to India in 1915.

He established the Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad and the Sabarmati Ashram, which became a platform for introducing long-needed social reforms such as 'Harijan' welfare, small-scale industries and self-reliance and rehabilitation of lepers. Gandhi protested against the Rowlatt Bills and started a non-violent non-cooperation movement in India against the tyrant British rule. He violated the salt law by marching to Dandi in March 1930 and making salt and started the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932. In 1942, he nailed in the final nail in the grave of the British Government with his 'Quit India' movement. He led his life that confirmed to his preaching. His morality and his doctrines on non-violence have become a beacon of light for the world. People pay a visit to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Gandhi ji and various museums and Ashrams on this day and Gandhi Jayanti is observed as a national holiday in India.

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