Mahatma Karamchand Gandhi, a political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British Rule was born on October 2, 1869. Fondly remembered as the Father of the Nation, he is known to have inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
His birthday is a major national holiday called Gandhi Jayanti, and it is marked with a prayer for peace, ceremonies and events throughout the country.
The United Nations has also declared October 2 as the International Day of Nonviolence to honor Gandhi’s message.
He became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India through his non-violent approach. Then, shortly after India gained independence, Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
Gandhi inspired the thinking of many world leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandella and former President Barack Obama for his peaceful methods of protest.
This year, the Indian government will commemorate Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary at the “national and international level to propagate his message,” according to the India Ministry of Culture.
Notably, Gandhi’s best influence as a world leader can be seen in the fact that the International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
