President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2 paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary, with leaders across the country remembering his message of peace, non-violence, cleanliness and public service.
President Murmu also reached Rajghat and attended the Sarva-Dharma Prarthana at Gandhi’s samadhi to mark Gandhi Jayanti.
In her message on the occasion, President Murmu said Gandhi’s life and ideals continue to be respected across the world. She noted that amid an atmosphere of war and conflict in several parts of the world, his message of peace and non-violence has become even more relevant.
President Murmu said India is advancing towards the national goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047, with emphasis on empathy and inclusion. She said this vision reflects Gandhi’s ideal of ‘Sarvodaya’, based on the welfare and upliftment of all.
Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and attended the Sarva-Dharma Prarthana. He said Gandhi’s life continued to serve as a guide for humanity and highlighted his values of truth, non-violence, compassion and service.
The Prime Minister recalled Gandhi’s global influence and said his thoughts have inspired people across the world. He also highlighted Gandhi’s emphasis on Swadeshi and Khadi and urged people to purchase at least one Khadi product on October 2 and take pride in calling it Swadeshi.
PM Modi pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his birth anniversary.
Recalling Shastri’s iconic slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, PM Modi highlighted his contribution to inspiring the country’s soldiers and farmers. He described Shastri as humble yet determined and said his simplicity and dedication to the nation remain deeply inspiring.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also remembered Shastri, highlighting his simplicity, humility, leadership and commitment to the nation.
Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, recalling his teachings on truth, non-violence, self-reliance and public service.
Shah said Gandhi viewed Swaraj not merely as the goal of freedom but as the foundation of self-respect and self-reliance. He also highlighted Gandhi’s emphasis on Swadeshi, one’s own language, culture and cleanliness.
Singh said Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence gave a new direction to India’s freedom movement. He also highlighted Gandhi’s message of peace, tolerance, equality and unity, saying his emphasis on social harmony, cleanliness and public service remains relevant.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Gandhi on his birth anniversary and extended greetings to the people of the state on the International Day of Non-Violence. He said Gandhi’s ideals, simplicity and thoughts continue to guide people in building a self-reliant and developed India.
Leaders pay tribute across India
Several other leaders paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on October 2.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid tribute to Shastri at Vijay Ghat.
In Jaipur, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma paid tributes to both Gandhi and Shastri. In Gurugram, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini participated in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and appealed to people to keep the city clean.
In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, a Swachhathon 2026 event was organised as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva programme.
30-Day cleanliness drive announced
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy called for a nationwide 30-day cleanliness drive from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on October 31.
Reddy urged citizens, government and private institutions, educational establishments, NGOs and other organisations to participate in the cleanliness campaign.
Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year on his birth anniversary, while October 2 is also marked by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, and served as India’s Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966. He is remembered for the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” and his contributions to the country.