Vice-President Pays Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs’ Day

Hon’ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, paid solemn homage to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs’ Day at Rajghat, marking a poignant moment of reverence. This gesture reflects the enduring legacy of a man who stood at the forefront of India’s struggle for independence.

Mahatma Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, was not just a lawyer or political ethicist but a symbol of nonviolent resistance against British rule. Raised in Gujarat, he moved to London to study law, later residing in South Africa for 21 years, where he pioneered civil rights campaigns.

Upon returning to India in 1915, Gandhi, often referred to as Mahātmā, assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress. His efforts transcended political boundaries, focusing on poverty alleviation, women’s rights, and religious harmony. Adopting a simple lifestyle, he led campaigns like the Dandi Salt March, urging the British to quit India.

The partition in 1947 tested Gandhi’s vision of a religiously pluralistic India. Despite challenges from Muslim nationalism, he advocated unity. The aftermath saw religious violence, and Gandhi, forsaking official celebrations, worked to ease distress. Tragically, he fell victim to an assassin’s bullet on January 30, 1948, underscoring the challenges of post-colonial unity.

Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday and the International Day of Nonviolence. His impact endures, and he is revered as the Father of the Nation in post-colonial India. The tribute by Vice-President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar echoes the ongoing importance of remembering and upholding Gandhi’s principles in the quest for a just and harmonious society.