Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation". Gandhi Jayanti is celebratedon October 2, every year and is one of the three official declared National holidays of India and is observed in all its states and union territories. The United Nations General Assembly on 15 June 2007 unanimously adopted a resolution declaring October 2 hereafter to be the International Day of Non-Violence, in Gandhi's memory.

Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayers and tributes all over India, especially at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi where he was cremated. Popular celebrations includes prayers meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.Usually, Gandhi's favouratite devotional song, "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram" is sung in his memory.

The Life of Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869, in modern-day Gujarat in India. his father was the ruler of a small state and his mother was a pious and devoted Jain followers, who had great influence on the young Mohandas, concerning the practical as well as the moral aspects of his life. Because of his mother, Mohandas adopted tolerance for different creeds, vegetarianism, fasting and the idea of leading a pure, decent life.

When Mohandas was 13, he married 14-year-old Kasturbai Makhanji, a marriage arranged by their parents, as it was the custom of the region. Kasturbai proved to be a devoted wife, an affectionate mother of four sons, a loyal partner and a heroine who followed her husband with dignity and respect through thick and thin.

In 1888, Mohandas left for London to study law and it was during that time that Gandhi studied different religious systems like Christianity and Hinduism. He returned to India in 1891 and in 1893 he accepted a contract by an Indian firm to work in Durban, South Africa, which was also a part of the British Empire. Gandhi was appalled by the racial discrimination, lack of civil liberties and the Apartheid system in South Africa, where anyone who was not white was considered as inferior and treated as a second-class citizen.

After spending 21 years in South Africa trying to eliminate injustice and oppression of the weak, and having spent several years in prison for his ideology, he returned to India in 1915 and concentrated on campaigning for Indian independence from the British Empire. In 1920, Gandhi was elected president of All India Home Rule League, and after a long period of political struggles that led to Gandhi's imprisonment on several occasions, India gained independence in 1947 but was partitioned into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. Riots between the two countries led to fanaticism and when Gandhi tried to put an end to the bloodshed, he was assassinated on January 30th 1948.

Gandhi's Philosophy

Gandhi's philosophy was not only spiritual, but also political and social, with a profound respect for individuality. In its core there are two predominant words, "satya" that means truth and "ahimsa" which means nonviolence, along with his principles of "civil disobedience" and "nonviolent activism" which have proved universal ideals.

A small story about Gandhi ji By Chancellor ( MGU )
 Magical Words : Rama Rama 

During childhood, Gandhi was always been afraid of dark night and ghosts. He believed that ghosts live in dark and would catch him on.

One day night when it was very dark, Gandhi is trying to move from one room to another. As he stepped out of the room, his feet seemed to turn to lead and his heart began to beat like a drum.

The maidservant, Ramba, standing near the door, listened this with a laugher and asked him, "What happen child?".

Gandhi replied, "I am afraid terribly".

Ramba asked again, "Afraid? Of what?".

"I'm afraid of ghosts in the dark!" Gandhi replied with a scared face.

Ramba patted him with affection and said, "Child do not afraid. Just say Rama, Rama*! Ghosts will get afraid even to come near you. They won't touch even a hair of your head. Rama will safeguard you".

Ramba's words gave Gandhi good courage. He started saying "Rama, Rama, Rama..." and he left the room without fear. From that day on wards  Gandhi never felt afraid. He strongly believed that Rama will safeguard him from the ghosts and any dangers.

This gave Gandhiji courage throughout his life...Even when he died he whispered the name of Rama.

" Taking the name of Rama and following the footsteps of Gandhi ji and his educational ideas, MGU emerges itself to transform backward, illiterate, exploited, desperately poor sections of the society into an industrious, self respecting and generous cooperative community."

For more visit :www.mgu.edu.in