Gandhi Jayanti Essay in English for Students

Every Year, the 2nd of October is commemorated in remembrance of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday as Gandhi Jayanthi. In 2024, we celebrate the 155th birth anniversary of the great Indian soul, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He played the most prominent role in making India free from the British Raj and getting freedom for India. He is notable for some of his popular movements such as Non-Violence, Salt Satyagraha, and Dandi March. Gandhi Jayanti is declared as one among three National Holidays in India. In this article, we will look into more facts about Mahatma Gandhi, his achievements and contributions to the freedom struggle and much more which is helpful to write a Gandhi Jayanti Essay in English for Students, as a part of the celebration.

Gandhi Jayanti Essay in English

In India, 2nd October is celebrated as the birthday of one of the greatest souls “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi” commonly known as the “Bapu” or “Father of the Nation”. He was a great leader and a freedom fighter who played a key role in getting us the freedom from the colonial rule. This year we are going to celebrate his 155th Birth Anniversary on 2nd October 2024. To honor this great soul, 2nd October of every year is observed as a National Holiday as Banks, Government offices and institutions, and Educational institutions remain closed.

Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?

The 2nd of October is considered special as it marks the birth of two outstanding leaders and freedom fighters, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. The special event called Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated to recognize and remember the efforts and ideologies of Gandhiji or Bapuji. He is a man of simplicity as he always preferred to wear Khadi, and hand-woven clothes and boycotted the use of foreign goods. During the General Assembly meeting in the United Nations, this particular day was declared as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’  in 2007.

Gandhiji is best recognized as the ‘Father of Nation” for his contributions to the freedom struggle and to making India free from British colonial rule. His contributions to the freedom struggle are remarkable as he uprooted the British rulers from Indian Soil. Gandhiji relied on important principles such as Honesty, Integrity and Ahimsa known as Non-violence. He always believed ‘Ahimsa’ was the most potent weapon to combat with the British rulers. Hence to honour the principles and sacrifices of Gandhiji, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated in India and also known to be the day of Non-violence in some countries.

Significance of Gandhi Jayanti

To pay tribute to the great leader and pure soul, Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of Non-violence is celebrated worldwide as ‘International Day of Non-violence’. The first International Day of Non-Violence was observed on 2nd October 2007 which coincided with Gandhi’s birthday. This day is celebrated in different ways by some countries throughout the world, which are discussed further:

India

As it is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, this marks the special significance of the International Day of No-Violence. The Nation celebrates this day by organizing prayer meetings, seminars, lectures, and cultural programs thereby inculcating Gandhiji’s principles and teachings.

United States

Gandhiji’s principles and ideologies are not only restricted to India but are spread worldwide. To commemorate this special day, educational institutions, peace organizations, and community groups organize events and lectures to remember Mahatma’s contributions.

South Africa

Nelson Mandela was greatly influenced by Gandhiji’s principles and ideologies and followed the footprints of Mahatma to lead the Nation. As a remembrance of Gandhiji’s birthdate, the International Day of Non-Violence is celebrated widely in South Africa.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom always pay homage to Gandhiji during his birthday at Tavistock Square, where the iconic statue of Mahatma Gandhi is present. The special day is commemorated through Vedic Prayers, Bhajans and Exhibition of Artwork.

Other countries

The International Day of Non-violence is celebrated in many other countries such as China, Rome, etc., with the main motive of providing peace education and aiming for conflict resolution.

Gandhiji’s Contributions towards Freedom

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 into a merchant-less family in Porbandar, Gujarat, India which was under the Britishers rule. Later on, he travelled to England to pursue his law studies. He worked as a lawyer in South Africa, where he first experienced the racial discrimination and injustice committed by European rule against the African Blacks. He started several movements such as the Khadi movement to make use of fibres such as Jute or Khadi and weaved the same using a chakra. He started with the Non-Co-operation movement to make use of Indian Swadeshi goods and stopped the use of foreign goods. A major breakthrough movement is the ‘Quit India Movement’ to put an end to the British Colonial rule in India. He led a campaign called Salt satyagraha starting from Sabarmati Ashram along with his followers to reach Dandi to resist the payment of taxes levied on salt which was available free of cost to the common people.

Gandhi Jayanti 2024 celebrations in India

To commemorate this special day and to honour the birth of this great Indian soul, celebrations are organized in schools, and colleges by conducting various events such as competitive speeches on Gandhiji’s life history and writing essays on his contributions to the freedom struggle, rallies, etc., Bhajans are sung along with his favourite song, “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.” Major celebrations are performed in Gandhi Smriti, Raj Ghat, Delhi wherein many visitors garland his auspicious memorial made of black marble, which is the site of cremation. Floral tributes are also offered by various leaders and dignitaries from countries across the world.

On the whole, the auspicious day of Gandhi Jayanti marks the remembrance of the pure soul, and we as the citizens of India, follow his footprints to promote global peace, non-violence and integrity among various nations.

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