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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Festivals of India |
