Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhi Jayanti: Bapu’s Life, Legacy & Significance of his principles and values

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the 02nd October every year to mark and honour the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Anyone and everyone who even as in inch of knowledge about him respects him and thus in India he has been fondly named as the “Father of the Nation”. Gandhi Jayanti is not just about paying tribute to this great man but also a recollection of his values and beliefs. Mahatma Gandhi is considered as one of the most respected leaders that not only the country of India, but the whole of the world has seen. His values of ahimsa (non-violence), truth, self-reliance truth not only did shake the world during his lifetime, but they are inspiring today’s generations and will also continue to inspire for any and all the future generations.

All about the life of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on the 2nd of October 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat to Sri Uttamchand Gandhi and Smt. Putlibai. He was a very introvert child may be the reason behind him becoming an avid reader since a very young age. The many books he read influenced his thought process a lot and ideas of truth, discipline, devotion and morality started to fascinate him.

Mahatma Gandhi entered into a marriage with Smt. Kasturba at the age of 13. Right after Mahatma Gandhi finished schooling from Rajkot, he proceeded to London in the year 1888 to pursue law at the esteemed Inner Temple. As Mahatma Gandhi had promised his mother that he will stay a vegetarian and follow a simple life. Mahatma Gandhi immersed himself in religious books like the Bhagvat Gita and the Bible which influenced him immensely.

After completing his degree in Law, Mahatma Gandhi then proceeded in 1893 to South Africa in order to practice law. He had to go through the tortured feeling of racial discrimination, and this is where his battle against injustice began.

It was there in South Africa that the idea of Satyagraha or the non-violent movement was conceived in him. Mahatma Gandhi came back to India in 1915, and he was leading the fight for the country’s freedom from British Kingdom. Mahatma Gandi led the very influential mass movements of Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement. Mahatma Gandhi sternly believed that Mental strength and determination will eventually make you win the battle and physical strength and violence is not needed.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Non-Violence and Truth

Mahatma Gandhi was a firm believer pf Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truth). These two principles drove his life. Gandhiji believed in and always said that non-violence should not be just about actions, but also about mental non-violence. He sternly believed in compassion and love.

He once said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.” His theories and processes help India achieve freedom in the year 1947. Global leaders of the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama were also impressed by his theories.

He is fondly called Bapu or the Father of Nation.

The Significance of Gandhi Jayanti

The importance and significance of Gandhi Jayanti hold steady not only for India but also globally:

1. Paying respect to the Father of the Nation

On Gandhi Jayanti, all countrymen commemorate the efforts and service of Gandhi Ji in attaining the country’s freedom. Everyone rose above the boundaries of caste, religion, community and financial status for independence.

2. Being an icon for Peace and Non-Violence

Gandhi Jayanti has been declared as the International Day of Non-Violence by the UN, United Nations. This day is marked as global day for peace and non-violence.

3. An inspiration towards simple living and high thinking

On Gandhi Jayanti, let us all remember the simple life of Mahatma Gandhi. He only wore khadi (hand-spun cloth) and endorsed using indigenous goods or Swadeshi goods. He was a promoter of the fact that greatness should always be in your way of thinking.

4. An example for the future: Functions and competitions like debates, essay writing, skits, drama, singing are held on the occasion or eve of Gandhi Jayanti. These help to teach and educate the children about Gandhiji’s values and life. These kinds of functions are a correct way of teaching young children who are our future.

How Gandhi Jayanti is Celebrated

The country of India has three national holidays and Gandhi Jayanti is one of the national holidays. It is widely celebrated across India in these various ways:

• Political Leaders like our esteemed Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble President and other leaders pay tributes at Raj Ghat on Gandhi Jayanti. Raj Ghat is the memorial constructed in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi
• In memory of Gandhi Ji, his favorite hymn mostly Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram are sung and recited in prayer meetings which are organised on Gandhi Jayanti.
• Colleges, universities and schools organize programs and various other competitions so as to imbibe teachings and values of Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti.
• Gandhi Ji was a Visionary and his vision of a Clean India has led to the very inspiring Swachh Bharath Mission which aims at promoting cleanliness and hygiene throughout the country. It is observed on Gandhi Jayanti.
• International Day of Non-Violence is observed globally on Gandhi Jayanti to honour the values of peace, non-violence and truth which Gandhi Ji felt and taught.

Relevance of Gandhi’s Ideals in Today’s World

Mahatma Gandhi left for heavenly abode in 1948, as he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse. More than 75 years of his death have passed, but the values of Mahatma Gandi still prevail. There have recently been many episodes of violence, intolerance and corruption, in such times Gandhi Ji’s value system is much needed so that balance and peace can prevail in the world.

Let Gandhi Jayanti be an occasion where his teachings of Sarvodaya (welfare of all) prevails in the world. Because when the community benefits, the society rises in turn and in totality the world becomes a better place.

Conclusion

Gandhi Jayanti is not just a day to observe but it is a remainder to inculcate Mahatma Gandhi’s principle and ideals in our lives. Gandhiji is always seen with a stick in his pictures, but he never used it on anyone, rather he used it to stand for the society and lead from the front.

On this day of Gandhi Jayanti, each one of us should make a promise to ourselves that we will try to be tolerant, honest, self-disciplined and truthful like Gandhi Ji. His principle of simple living and high thinking if followed by everyone will surely make the world a better place. As we honor Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti, his birth anniversary, let us vow and pledge to ourselves and our future generations that we will carry forward his eternal values of truth, peace, and non-violence.