‘Gandhi Jayanti is not just about remembering the birth of a leader but to follow his principles in word and spirit’- Puri

Jaswant Singh Puri/ October 2,2025

Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated on 2nd October each year is a solemn occasion to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, affectionately known as Mahatma Gandhi or ‘Bapu’. This year, Gandhi Jayanti commemorates the 156th birthday of the Father of the Nation who was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar in the state of Gujrat to Karamchand Gandhi.

He was an extraordinary figure who transformed from an introvert lawyer into a powerful mass leader. October 2 is also observed as the International Day of Non-violence by the United Nations which highlights the universal relevance of his message. He was a living example of his principles, earning him the title of ‘Mahatma’ bestowed upon him by Rabindranath Tagore. He played a leading role in India’s freedom struggle by introducing new forms of protest like ‘Satyagraha’ (force of truth) ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) who objected violence and accelerated peaceful resistance.

Gandhi’s leadership in movements such as the ‘Champaran Satyagraha’, ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’, and the ‘Quit India Movement’ not only united the masses but also rejuvenated the strength of non-violent struggle. His ideology also inspired the leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Gandhi Jayanti is not just about remembering the birth of a leader but to follow his principles in word and spirit in an age of conflicts and violence.

The author himself is a Guest Speaker in teaching Media and Public Relations, Current Affairs and Management in Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh.

It is also valuable to mention that Gandhi’s ideals were followed by the Late Tatsumaru Sujiyama, a Japanese traveller and President, International Cultural Welfare Association, used to visit the family of the author in Patiala. He was influenced by the Global Mission of the author’s father Dr. Ajit Singh Puri, about his “campaign on common but fatal disease prevention”, appreciated by the World Health Organisation. A TV team from Japan also recorded an interview of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri about his Global Mission. The Indian Express News is self-explanatory about the interview.

It is encouraging to know that statues of Mahatma Gandhi were unveiled in Tokyo (Japan), Sydney (Australia), Madrid (Spain), UN Headquarters, South Africa, Brazil etc. It is appreciative to note that Richard Attenborough’s movie ‘Gandhi’ (1982), an Oscar-winning epic covers his life from South Africa to independence. Perry Garfinkel has also written a book ‘Becoming Gandhi’ who adheres to Gandhi’s footsteps. Recently, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah inaugurated startup Enclave in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as an honour to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi also wrote, books like ‘Wheel of Fortune’, ‘The Story of My Experiments with truth’, ‘India of My Dreams’, ‘Conquest of Self’, ‘Freedom’s Battle’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 126th episode ‘Mann Ki Baat’ felicitated the Indians for Gandhi Jayanti. He exhorted them to adopt ‘Swadeshi’ products and purchase atleast one ‘Khadi’ cloth on Gandhi Jayanti.

However, Mahatma Gandhi fell to the gunshots on 30th January, 1948 and left this world. However, such souls live for ever.