Gaurav Soni
October 02, 2024 08:03
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Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary is observed on October 2nd every year, commemorating the life and legacy of the Father of the Nation.
Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary, celebrated every year on October 2nd, is a day of great significance in India and around the world. Gandhi Jayanti 2024 marks the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement. He is revered not only for his role in India’s freedom struggle but also for his promotion of peace, harmony, and non-violence globally.
As the International Day of Non-Violence 2024, the day is recognized by the United Nations and reminds us of Gandhi’s enduring legacy in advocating peaceful resistance to injustice.
Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, India, played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement against British rule. His philosophy of non-violence, or Ahimsa, and civil disobedience inspired millions around the world. He was affectionately called the “Father of the Nation” for his tireless efforts to bring about social change through peaceful means. Gandhi’s contributions weren’t limited to the fight for independence; he also worked towards abolishing untouchability, promoting women’s rights, and championing rural self-sufficiency.
Gandhi’s life and teachings continue to influence civil rights movements globally, with his emphasis on ethical leadership and truthfulness still resonating today.
The 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2024, will be celebrated with various events, both in India and internationally. In India, Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday, and the day is marked with tributes to Gandhi at his memorial in Raj Ghat, New Delhi, where political leaders, dignitaries, and citizens pay their respects.
October 2 is not only Gandhi Jayanti 2024 but also observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence, since 15 June 2007, according to United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271. The United Nations designated this day to promote Gandhi’s belief in achieving justice through peaceful means. Various international events are held to highlight the relevance of Gandhi’s philosophy in modern-day conflicts and human rights struggles.
From peaceful marches and discussions to lectures and conferences on global peace, the International Day of Non-Violence 2024 serves as a reminder of the power of non-violent resistance in resolving issues without bloodshed. This connection between Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence emphasizes Gandhi’s influence beyond India, making him a symbol of peace worldwide.
Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa from 1893 to 1915 was pivotal in shaping his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which later became the cornerstone of India’s fight for independence. The strategies he developed during this period became the blueprint for future movements, including India’s struggle for independence. South Africa, thus, became the crucible where Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha (truth-force) and Ahimsa (nonviolence) was born and tested.
| Key Events in South Africa (1893-1915) | ||
| Year | Event | Significance |
| 1893 | Thrown off a train in Pietermaritzburg for sitting in a “whites-only” compartment | Marked a turning point, awakening Gandhi to the reality of racial discrimination and sparking his commitment to justice. |
| 1894 | Formation of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) | Gandhi helped establish the NIC to fight for the rights of Indians and create a unified voice against oppressive laws. |
| 1906 | Introduction of the “Black Act” requiring Indian registration | Gandhi launched the first Satyagraha campaign, a nonviolent resistance against the discriminatory act. |
| 1907 | Mass protests against registration laws (Fingerprint Ordinance) | Gandhi led peaceful protests, with many Indians, including himself, accepting imprisonment as a form of resistance. |
| 1913 | The Great March (or Protest March) in response to the £3 tax imposed on Indian laborers | Gandhi organized a 200-mile protest march of Indian workers, highlighting the power of collective nonviolent resistance. |
| 1914 | Gandhi’s negotiation with the South African government | After years of protest, Gandhi successfully negotiated a compromise, leading to the repeal of some discriminatory laws. |
| 1915 | Return to India | Gandhi left South Africa, having laid the foundation of nonviolent resistance, which he would later apply in India. |
After returning to India from South Africa in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi quickly became the leader of the Indian National Movement, using his nonviolent methods of Satyagraha to mobilize the masses. His leadership transformed the fight for India’s independence into a widespread people’s movement, marked by acts of civil disobedience and peaceful protests. Through several key events, Gandhi’s presence galvanized Indians from all walks of life to resist British colonial rule.
| Event | Year | Significance |
| Champaran Satyagraha | 1917 | Gandhi’s first major act of civil disobedience in India, helped oppressed indigo farmers resist exploitative practices of British landlords. |
| Kheda Satyagraha | 1918 | Gandhi led a successful tax revolt after crop failure in Kheda, empowering Indian farmers and establishing his role as a defender of rural India. |
| Ahmedabad Mill Strike | 1918 | Gandhi intervened in a dispute between mill workers and owners, advocating for workers’ rights and using hunger strikes as a nonviolent tool for negotiation. |
| Rowlatt Satyagraha | 1919 | A nationwide protest against oppressive laws, leading to the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which further fueled Indian anger against British rule. |
| Non-Cooperation Movement | 1920-1922 | A large-scale nonviolent movement where Indians boycotted British goods and institutions, showing the strength of unified resistance before its suspension after violent incidents. |
| Round Table Conferences | 1930-1932 | In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in London to discuss constitutional reform in India.. |
| Salt March (Dandi March) | 1930 | A pivotal protest against the British monopoly on salt, which sparked nationwide participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. |
| Civil Disobedience Movement | 1930-1934 | This movement, initiated by the Salt March, saw widespread acts of non-cooperation with the British, including boycotts and refusal to follow unjust laws. |
| Poona Pact | 1932 | Gandhi reached a historic compromise with Dr. Ambedkar, ensuring political representation for Dalits while maintaining a unified electorate within the Hindu community. |
Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent revolution not only led to India’s eventual independence in 1947 but also left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire social movements around the world. His philosophy of peaceful resistance reshaped the strategies of freedom struggles, from civil rights in the United States to anti-apartheid in South Africa.
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