Gandhi Jayanti: Celebrating the Mahatma's Legacy

Gandhi's Birthday

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2nd each year, marking the birthday of the iconic leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

International Day of Non-Violence

The day is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations in honor of Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance.

Gandhi's 21-Day Fast

Gandhi undertook 18 fasts during India's freedom movement.

Gandhi's 21-Day Fast

Fasting was a weapon used by Gandhi as part of his philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence) as well as satyagraha.

Gandhi's 21-Day Fast

His longest fasts lasted 21 days.

Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

Although nominated five times, Mahatma Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Charkha as a Symbol

The spinning wheel, or "charkha," became a symbol of self-sufficiency and resistance against British-made textiles.

First Protest

His first civil disobedience campaign was in South Africa in 1907.

First Protest

He fought against the discriminatory laws imposed on Indian immigrants.

Strict Vegetarianism

Gandhi followed a strict vegetarian diet throughout his life and even experimented with veganism.

Ashrams

He established several ashrams in India, including the famous Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.

Encounter with Tolstoy

He was deeply influenced by Tolstoy's ideas of non-violence and civil disobedience.

Salt March

Dandi March of 1930, where Gandhi and his followers walked 240 miles to the Arabian Sea, was a turning point in India's fight for independence.

Gandhi's Nom de Plume

He wrote many articles and letters under the pseudonym "Bapu". 

"Quit India" Movement

In 1942, Gandhi launched the "Quit India" movement, a mass protest demanding an end to British rule in India.

Gandhi's Last Fast

His last fast, in 1948, was to bring an end to communal violence in Delhi, displaying his unwavering commitment to peace.

Legacy of Gandhi

Even after his assassination in 1948, Mahatma Gandhi's legacy for civil rights and freedom worldwide lives on.