India celebrates Martyrs Day on Tuesday, January 30. This day is also celebrated as Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary. Gandhi is world-renowned for leading the freedom movement in India and was shot dead on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse. He was going to address a prayer meeting at Birla Bhawan in Delhi when the fateful incident happened.
Gandhi, also known as the “Father of the Nation” directed India’s freedom movement. Gandhi was known for his peaceful and non-violent methods to fight against the British rule.
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History and significance of Martyrs Day:
Martyrs’ Day is also known as Shaheed Diwas and is celebrated in India on January 30 every year. The day aims to pay homage to the courageous soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their motherland. The day also highlights the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. In 1949, Godse, a Hindu nationalist, was sentenced to death.
The day primarily marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it also acts to remember and pay respects to all the other martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country.
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How is Martyrs’ Day observed across India?
Martyrs’ Day, also called Mahatma Gandhi’s Punyatithi or death anniversary, is observed by prayer meetings by the Indian citizens. Government officials, leaders, and citizens come together at memorials and statues of freedom fighters, aimed at paying homage to those who laid down their lives for the nation.
On this day, Educational institutions, government offices, and various organizations conduct various programs to show their respect to martyrs. On this occasion, we can witness Cultural events, speeches, and essay competitions.
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Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | January 30 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | January 30 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 30 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 30 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 30 | Sunday |
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Mahatma Gandhi (‘Father of Nation’)
- Full Name – Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born – 2 October 1869
- Died – 30 January 1948
- Father Name – Karamchand Gandhi
- Mother Name – Putlibai Gandhi
- Education – Samaldas College at Bhavnagar, Gujarat, University College London
FAQs
The Hindi word ‘Mahatma,’ represents ‘the great soul’ in English. M.K. Gandhi was known as the foremost spiritual and national leader of his homeland India.
Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in the Independence Movement of India, and his philosophy of nonviolence.