Gandhi Jayanti 2020 in India

Is Gandhi Jayanti a Public Holiday?

Gandhi Jayanti is a public holiday (gazetted) observed all over India. This means every private or government institution, offices, banks, schools, universities, academic institutions, retail stores and shopping malls remain closed throughout the day.

This day is regarded as a public holiday for the general population. However, stores selling essential goods can operate in the evening. Public transportation services operate during restricted hours on the day of Gandhi Jayanti.

Gandhi Jayanti History

Gandhi Jayanti history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance. Mahatma Gandhi, known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and dearly called as Bapu by his followers, was born on the 2nd October in the year 1869. He is nationally as well as internationally known as a great figure who played a significant role in Indian Independence Movement and politically and spiritually inspired people from all around the world with his ideologies on Satyagraha and Non-Violence.

He was the one who took the initiative and started the Civil Disobedience Movement in both India and Africa. He influenced people to fight the Britishers with non-violence and dharma and kicked off both the Dandi March and Non-Cooperation Movement in an attempt to win his country back from the hands of Britishers.

Gandhi’s contribution and preachings are known worldwide and taught to young children and students. He opted for a reliable and peaceful discussion for every conflict rather than fighting with violence. His assassination by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948 served as a huge loss to India as well as the whole world. Since then, his birth anniversary has been observed as Gandhi Jayanti every year.

How Is Gandhi Jayanti Celebrated?

Celebrations on Gandhi Jayanti are carried out in full force all across India. Some of them include commemorative services, prayer meets, tributes at locations, essay competitions, theatrical competitions, art exhibitions, award ceremonies, movie screenings based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi and much more.

Some of the famous rhymes and hymns are sung on this day such as “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram” and much more. Flower garlands are offered to the statues and idols of Mahatma Gandhi on this day. The sale of alcohol is prohibited on this day as well.

Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations at Raj Ghat

Gandhi Jayanti is regarded as a national gazetted holiday in India, and celebrations on this day are carried out in full force. The Raj Ghat located in New Delhi is one of the famous locations where this event is celebrated. Meetings are held under the presence of the President and the Prime Minister of India, and solemn vows are taken.

Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in Schools

Seven schools, colleges, and academic institutions celebrate this event on 2nd October every year. We see a number of debate competitions, poetry recitals, theatrical plays, book fairs, and singing competitions being held in several schools and universities throughout India.

Children enthusiastically take part in the event celebrations and observe the international peace day as well. The lesson of Ahimsa, Non-Violence and Truth is preached to the budding minds. Debates based on the preachings of Gandhian philosophy are held where students or participants openly discuss several elements and principles.

In some primary schools, fancy dress competitions are organised where children come dressed as Bapu. Rallies and marches with banners conveying the message of non-violence and ahimsa can also be seen on the roads.

General Celebrations on Gandhi Jayanti

Mass celebrations are carried out by the general population on the day of Gandhi Jayanti. Many local societies and cities organize memorial services and conduct local programs and prayer meets. Art exhibitions, science fairs and essay writing competitions are held.

Those who preach the lesson of non-violence and peace are also awarded communally. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi is erected within societies and garlands, flowers etc. are placed on it.

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti Symbols

The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated on a grand scale at the following three locations in India:

• The Martyr’s Column at the museum called Gandhi Smriti, located in New Delhi. This is the place where Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by his assassin on January 30, 1948.
• The Raj Ghat in New Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi’s body was cremated with proper rituals after his death on January 31, 1948.
• The Triveni Sangam. This is the place where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati conjoin together near Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad.

Another item that symbolizes the spirit of this day is a weaved cloth called “Khadi” and a hand spinning wheel. It is said that in the early 1900s in India, the Britishers were managing and controlling the production and marketing of cloth. This encouraged Gandhiji to ask the natives of India to weave an Indian style cotton cloth, that later came to be known as Khadi, using a traditional spinning wheel and boycott any foreign cloth.

Since then, these two items symbolize the spirit of Gandhi Jayanti and Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle and contribution for Indian Independence.

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From the above information, it is evident that the national event of Gandhi Jayanti 2020 in India is observed on શુક્રવાર, 2 ઑક્ટોબર and Mahatma Gandhi is widely remembered. We hope you have liked this article on Gandhi Jayanti in India. Thank you for being an important part of AstroSage.