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Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on October 2?
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Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as the Mahatma (“Great Soul”), in London, 1931.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated annually on October 2 because it marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born on that date in 1869 in Porbandar, India.123
As a national holiday in India, the day serves to commemorate Gandhi's vital role in the country's struggle for freedom and his enduring influence on its moral and political ideals. The observance typically includes prayer meetings, tributes at his memorial at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, and various community service activities that reflect his philosophy of nonviolent protest and truth. Additionally, the United Nations has recognized the significance of this date by designating October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence.2