Why Is Gandhi Jayanti Celebrated on 2nd October
Every year India celebrate Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October. It's a national holiday. Full name of Mahatma Gandhi is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The three principles of Mahatma Gandhi influence a lot of people which are non violence, peace, and truth.
So this article is about to know why Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2nd October and what is the importance of this day?
The Birth of a Great Leader
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar which is a small town in Gujarat, India. The day remind us the struggle of Mahatma Gandhi for the independence of India. Non violence and Satyagraha was the powerful tools of Mahatma Gandhi in the fight of independency. India celebrate Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October in the owner of the Great Leader Mahatma Gandhi.
Introduction of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi is also known as "Bapu" and he is considered as "Father of the nation". He is known for his dedication to truth and non violence. He fought for India's independency and did social reform. The philosophy of 'Satyagrah' became inspiration for millions of people around thr world and it was a guidance for them to fight for their civil rights.
Early Life and Family Background (1869-1893)
- Date of birth and Family background:
Each person of India know that he was born on october 2nd 1869 in Porbandar, Gujrat. His family was religious and politically active. His mother influenced him deeply. She implanted the simplicity and humanity values in him.
- Education and Early Challenges:
Mahatma Gandhi traveled to England to study law in 1888. Initially he struggled with western culture. He returned in India in 1891 and attempted to practice law but due to shy nature he faced difficulties and had lack of confidence in courtrooms.
Transformation in South Africa (1893-1915)
- Encounter with Racial discrimination:
At the railway station to Africa, he faced an incident where he was thrown out of a train for refusing to leave a first class apartment. It became a turning point in his life. Then he spend years of time in Africa and fought against the racial discrimination.
- Founding the Natal Indian Congress:
When Mahatma Gandhi was in South Africa, he established the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to advocate for the rights against racial discrimination which was faced by indians in south africa. Mahatma Gandhi also ran campaigns against the Asiatic Registration Act. It showed his commitment to justice.
- Key Achievements and Return to India:
After spending several years of fighting against the racial discrimination in south africa, he returned to India in 1915 with a vision of fighting to get freedom for his own country.
Gandhi's Early Work In India (1915-1919)
- Initial involvement in Indian National Congress:
Mahatma Gandhi joined INC after returning to India. He began social reforms and focused on the social issues like untouchability and discrimination. He started to understand the people's struggle which they faced to survive in society.
- Champaran Satyagrah:
Mahatma Gandhi led the Champaran Andolan in 1917. It was a protest against the exploitation of indigo famers in Champaran, Bihar. After the movement the British Government agreed to farmer's demand. It was the first successful victory of Mahatma Gandhi in India.
- Kheda Satyagrah:
In 1918, the farmers in Kheda (Gujrat) faced hardships due to crop failure and high tax demands of British government. Mahatma Gandhi supported the farmers and officials had agreed to his demands. It was also a peaceful negotiation and nonviolence resistance.
- Jaliawala Bagh Massacre:
A brutal incident was happened 13 April 1919 in Amritsar (Punjab) which shocked the nation. It acted like a fuel in many Indians to fight against thr British Rule. In Jaliawala Bagh, a large number of people were gathered to protest against the Rowlett Act. There were only one entrance gate. British Army under the command of Brigadier General Dyer shot the people there. More than thousands of people were killed.
Key Movements Against British Rule (1919-1942)
- Non Cooperation Movement:
It was a Movement of Indian people launched by Mahatma Gandhi to boycott British institutions, goods and services. It played an important role to unite the people nationwide. Again a Chauri Chaura Incident happened in 1922. Mahatma Gandhi called off the Movement to be stay on his commitment to non violence. In Chauri Chaura place some protestors fired up a police station.
- Social Intiatives in 1920s:
Mahatma Gandhi initiated some social reforms during this period particularly for caste system and untouchability. Also he promoted self made cloth called 'Khadi' (hand spun cloth) to boycott british textiles.
- Salt March (Dandi March) and Civil Disobedience Movement:
Mahatma Gandhi let a historical 'Salt March' in 1930 to protest against the british Salt tax rule. He covered a distance of 240 miles to Arabian Sea with his followers to break the salt rule by making salt as their own.
This action initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement which inspired millions of Indians to challenge the unjust British Laws. Also Mahatma Gandhi gained global attention which symbolized India's demand for freedom.
- Gandhi Irwin Pact:
Mahatma Gandhi entered negotiations with Britishers in 1931 which provided some concessions to the freedom movement. Although it was not close to the complete freedom, but it was a beginning that they are becoming weak behind the peaceful freedom Movements.
The Final Push for Independence (1942-1947)
- Quit India Movement:
Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942 to end the British Rule with a slogan 'Do Or Die'. British officials arrested many of indians, but you know the Indian population. Their cell space were enough to stop Indians now.
- Imprisonment and Health Challenges:
Mahatma Gandhi faced health issues during imprisonment from 1942 to 1944. But he continued his movements for unity and independence.
- Hindu Muslim Unity and Partition:
Mahatma Gandhi tried to solve the Hindu Muslim problems but he failed and resulted the Partition of India. Country divided into two different nations India and Pakistan. There nationwide violence were spread out. It was failure of Gandhi.
Social Work and Vision beyond Independence
- Eradicating Untouchability:
There was a caste based discrimination in India. Mahatma Gandhi ran campaigns against untouchability and named the oppressed communities as 'Harijans' (children of god).
- Promotion of Swadeshi:
Mahatma Gandhi initiated Swadeshi Movement to encourage people to produce and consume local made goods. And it was important for healthy economy of India.
- Focus on Village Development:
Mahatma Gandhi focused on rural development as he believed that India's soul lived in its villages. His vision of villages were there should be small scale industries, cleanliness, health and education. It was a foundation of a strong India.
Gandhi's Wins and Losses
Wins:
- Unity in nonviolence
- Successful Movements
- Social reforms
Losses and challenges:
- Partition of India
- Faced critisism and opposition
- Assassination: Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by a Hindu Nationalist on january 30, 1948. He was Nathuram Godse had his own vision that Mahatma Gandhi was a great threat for upcoming India.
Legacy and Global Influence
- Inspiring Leaders worldwide:
Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence influenced many leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. They also fought for civil rights and justice in their own countries.
- Annual Celebrations:
October 2nd is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India and International day of nonviolence worldwide.
