PM Modi leads tributes in India as Gandhi Jayanti marked worldwide

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at the Parliament House on October 2.

PM Modi had also visited Rajghat, the final resting place of the Mahatma, and Vijay Ghat, the memorial of Shastri, earlier today.

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 153rd birth anniversary, PM Modi tweeted, "This Gandhi Jayanti is, even more, special because India marks Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Maybe always live up to Bapu's ideals. I also urge you to purchase Khadi and handicrafts products to tribute Gandhi Ji."

Meanwhile, rich tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi across America on the occasion of his 153rd birth anniversary. Gandhi's message of non-violence, respect and tolerance matters the most today, said many people celebrating his birth anniversary across cities.

In Washington, Gandhi Jayanti celebrations resonated with a special event at the Gandhi Memorial Center (GMC) with the recitation of Gandhi's famous Bhajans by several Americans and members of the Indian diaspora.

"Happy Gandhi Jayanti! Delighted to celebrate #GandhiJayanti in the presence of Ambassador Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu @SandhuTaranjitS at Union Square Park, New York," India in New York tweeted.

"Glimpses of the celebration of #GandhiJayanti at Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Hermann Park, Houston," India in Houston tweeted.

"On the auspicious occasion of #GandhiJayanti, CG @nagentv & members of Indian diaspora paid rich tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue #Embarcadero, SF. Consul General recalled contributions of #fatherofthenation and his enduring legacy," the Consulate General of India in San Francisco tweeted.

Indian Embassy in China celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at the Jintai Art Museum in Beijing on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 153rd birth anniversary.

India's Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat paid a floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the museum. "#gandhijayanthi at Jintai art museum by @EOIBeijing. The solemn occasion saw Amb Pradeep Rawat paying floral tributes to #MahatmaGandhi statue at Jintai Art Museum in Beijing curated by Prof. Yuan Xikun," the official twiiter handle of the Embassy of India in Beijing said on October 2.

Notably, India has received unusual praise from Saudi Arabia's World Muslim League for its policy of non-violence and tolerance towards all.
The Mecca-based World Muslim League timed its praise for India's Global and National outlook on Gandhi Jayanti- something which Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Group has never done before.

"Today, October 2, we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti to honour the birthday and remember the life of Mahatma Gandhi, a visionary, freedom fighter, and follower of non-violence. Today also is the International Day of Non-Violence," Muslim World League wrote in a tweet.

It added that October 2 should be used as an opportune day to spread the message of non-violence on an international level. "Every year, the world celebrates the International Day Of Non-Violence, celebrating the life of the pioneer of the non-violence philosophy, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. An occasion to spread the message of non-violence internationally through education and public awareness," it tweeted.

(ANI)