India Celebrates Birth Anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri

Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of non-violence, peace, and harmony influenced many civil rights movements across the world. Interestingly, Gandhi's birth anniversary is also celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Former Prime Minister Late Lal Bahadur Shastri shares his birthday with Gandhi, whose ideals still resonate with the Indian people.

India on Saturday celebrates Gandhi Jayanti to mark the 152nd birth anniversary of "Father of the Nation" Mahatma Gandhi. To celebrate the day, the country's government, politicians, and citizens are conducting various programmes and events to pay homage to the great man. The day began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet to pay his respect to "Bapu".

राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी को उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। पूज्य बापू का जीवन और आदर्श देश की हर पीढ़ी को कर्तव्य पथ पर चलने के लिए प्रेरित करता रहेगा।

I bow to respected Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. His noble principles are globally relevant and give strength to millions.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2021

Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti . It is a special day for all Indians to remember Gandhiji's struggles and sacrifice. Let us take a pledge that we will continue to strive for making India a country of Gandhiji's dreams while adhering to his teachings, ideals and values.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2021

2 October also marks the birth anniversary of India's second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The Indian President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Modi along with other leaders and personalities also paid their respects to Shastri, whose contributions and sacrifices still reverberate in the hearts of Indians.

Not many are able to turn defeat into victory, even fewer are remembered for it. Like the man who first sanctioned import of Borlaug's seeds and kickstarted the Green Revolution. That one, single, solitary step saved India.

Lal Bahadur Shastri. Forever in our thoughts. FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/Qxu2JlmddH

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) October 2, 2021

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son, together with former party chief Rahul Gandhi, visited Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat, memorials to Mahatma Gandhi and India's second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively, to pay floral tributes to them today.

.@RahulGandhi offering floral tributes to former Prime Minister of India Shri #LalBahadurShastri on his birth anniversary at Vijay Ghat.

जय जवान, जय किसान! pic.twitter.com/K2D2pEmM6v

— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) October 2, 2021

Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Shri @RahulGandhi pay their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Raj Ghat. pic.twitter.com/sNr6JFDSYq

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 2, 2021

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi also interacted with Pani Samitis under the government's Jal Jeevan Mission to applaud their efforts of water-system management in villages.

President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on #GandhiJayanti pic.twitter.com/Dnyz5PhIKI

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2021

As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Gram Swaraj (self-reliant village), the Indian government will organise a Gram Sabha across the country.

PM @narendramodi interacted with five community leaders across different parts of the country on #JalJeevanMission motivating them to continue their good work in managing in-village water supply system and encouraging them to function as water utilities.#SamvadWithPM pic.twitter.com/e3f1DmopbB

— Jal Jeevan Mission (@jaljeevan_) October 2, 2021

Meanwhile, the Indian government's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched the month-long Clean India mission to rid the country of single-use plastic.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took to Twitter and called for peace and tolerance across the world.

Hatred, division and conflict have had their day.

It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust and tolerance.

On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi's birthday - let's heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 2, 2021

Tributes to Bharat Ratna and former PM of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his birth anniversary

His simplicity, conduct and integrity are a source of inspiration for all of us and continues to guide generations.#AmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/i1RuQlUnOk

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 2, 2021

At Gujarat's Sabarmati Ashram, which is one of the many residences of Mahatma Gandhi, prayer meetings are being held to celebrate his birthday.

Program on birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at from Sabarmati Ashram@GujaratTourism
@AmdavadAMC
@CEEahmedabad
@PMOIndia
@GandhiInMumbai
@ANI
@GandhiPortal
#SabarmatiAshram pic.twitter.com/sDkCKL9jy4

— SabarmatiAshram (@SabarmatiAshram) October 2, 2021

Born on 2 October 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was given the title of "Mahatma" by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, was a pioneer leader non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi led India's freedom struggle along with other national leaders against British rule.