Key Highlights
- Tributes at Raj Ghat: President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and PM Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
- 157th anniversary: The nation marked Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary on Friday.
- Peace message: Murmu said that with war and conflict in many parts of the world, Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence is "even more relevant."
- Sarvodaya link: She connected Gandhi's ideal of Sarvodaya, the welfare of all, to India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
- A global day: October 2 is also observed worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.
The nation's top leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Friday, marking his 157th birth anniversary. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered floral tributes at Raj Ghat in Delhi, the Mahatma's memorial.
President's Message: Peace in a Time of Conflict
President Murmu used the occasion to highlight the relevance of Gandhi's ideals today. "On behalf of all citizens, I pay my respectful tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti," she said on X.
"Gandhiji's life and ideals are widely respected by the global community. Today, an atmosphere of war and conflict prevails in many parts of the world, affecting all nations in these circumstances, Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence becomes even more relevant," she added.
From Sarvodaya to Viksit Bharat
The President also linked Gandhi's philosophy to India's development goals. "Our country is advancing towards the national goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by the year 2047. In this journey, priority is being given to the values of empathy and Inclusion to ensure that no citizen is deprived of the benefits of development. This vision reflects the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi's ideal of 'Sarvodaya', based on the principle of the welfare and upliftment of all."
She urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to building "an empowered, developed and Atmanirbhar Bharat through our ethical conduct and active participation."
What Is Sarvodaya?
Sarvodaya means "the welfare of all" or "progress of all." Gandhi used the idea to describe a society where development reaches every person, including the poorest and most vulnerable, rather than benefiting only a few. The President's reference to ensuring "no citizen is deprived of the benefits of development" draws directly from this principle.
Why It Matters: A Day the World Marks Too
Gandhi Jayanti is not only an Indian observance. The United Nations marks October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence, honouring Gandhi's philosophy and its influence on movements for peace and civil rights around the world.
That global dimension gives President Murmu's message added weight. By pointing to conflicts affecting nations worldwide, she framed Gandhi's ideas not as history but as guidance for the present.
More Than One Anniversary
October 2 carries other significance too. It is also the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and is observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas, reflecting Gandhi's emphasis on cleanliness. Earlier this week, PM Modi used his Mann Ki Baat address to call cleanliness "the most beautiful tribute we can pay to Bapu."
The Bottom Line
On Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary, the nation's leaders returned to his core ideas of peace, non-violence and the welfare of all. In President Murmu's words, in a world facing conflict, those ideas are not just remembered; they are needed.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- Tributes at Raj Ghat: President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and PM Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
- 157th anniversary: The nation marked Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary on Friday.
- Peace message: Murmu said that with war and conflict in many parts of the world, Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence is "even more relevant."
- Sarvodaya link: She connected Gandhi's ideal of Sarvodaya, the welfare of all, to India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
- A global day: October 2 is also observed worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.
The nation's top leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Friday, marking his 157th birth anniversary. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered floral tributes at Raj Ghat in Delhi, the Mahatma's memorial.
President's Message: Peace in a Time of Conflict
President Murmu used the occasion to highlight the relevance of Gandhi's ideals today. "On behalf of all citizens, I pay my respectful tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti," she said on X.
"Gandhiji's life and ideals are widely respected by the global community. Today, an atmosphere of war and conflict prevails in many parts of the world, affecting all nations in these circumstances, Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence becomes even more relevant," she added.
From Sarvodaya to Viksit Bharat
The President also linked Gandhi's philosophy to India's development goals. "Our country is advancing towards the national goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by the year 2047. In this journey, priority is being given to the values of empathy and Inclusion to ensure that no citizen is deprived of the benefits of development. This vision reflects the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi's ideal of 'Sarvodaya', based on the principle of the welfare and upliftment of all."
She urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to building "an empowered, developed and Atmanirbhar Bharat through our ethical conduct and active participation."
What Is Sarvodaya?
Sarvodaya means "the welfare of all" or "progress of all." Gandhi used the idea to describe a society where development reaches every person, including the poorest and most vulnerable, rather than benefiting only a few. The President's reference to ensuring "no citizen is deprived of the benefits of development" draws directly from this principle.
Why It Matters: A Day the World Marks Too
Gandhi Jayanti is not only an Indian observance. The United Nations marks October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence, honouring Gandhi's philosophy and its influence on movements for peace and civil rights around the world.
That global dimension gives President Murmu's message added weight. By pointing to conflicts affecting nations worldwide, she framed Gandhi's ideas not as history but as guidance for the present.
More Than One Anniversary
October 2 carries other significance too. It is also the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and is observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas, reflecting Gandhi's emphasis on cleanliness. Earlier this week, PM Modi used his Mann Ki Baat address to call cleanliness "the most beautiful tribute we can pay to Bapu."
The Bottom Line
On Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary, the nation's leaders returned to his core ideas of peace, non-violence and the welfare of all. In President Murmu's words, in a world facing conflict, those ideas are not just remembered; they are needed.
With inputs from IANS.