Founder of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. PHOTO: AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary on Friday, NDTV reported.
Gandhi, also referred to in India as Father of the Nation, was assassinated in 1948 on this day.
Paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/vucMRYMMMr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2015
The Indian premier also paid tribute to those who have laid down their lives for the country.
On Martyrs' Day I pay homage to each & every Martyr who laid his or her life for our Nation. Their bravery & courage will always inspire.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2015
Further, the Times of India reported that US President Barack Obama, during his two-day visit, also paid homage to the founder of India.
He visited Gandhi’s final resting place at Raj Ghat, and also planted a sapling there.
The US president further laid a wreath at the memorial, saying Gandhi a floral tribute.
Below are a few interesting facts about Gandhi, as reported by the International Business Times:
1. Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize – five times. However, he was never awarded with the prestigious prize, a regret the Nobel Committee has publicly voiced.
In fact, in 1989, when the Dalai Lama was awarded with the Prize, the committee chairman said the award was a tribute to Gandhi.
2. Gandhi once wrote to German dictator Adolf Hitler, and addressed him as a “Dear Friend”.
“We have no doubt about your bravery or devotion to your fatherland, nor do we believe that you are the monster described by your opponents,” he had written to the dictator.
“But your own writings and pronouncements and those of your friends and admirers leave no room for doubt that many of your acts are monstrous and unbecoming of human dignity, especially in the estimation of men like me who believe in universal friendliness.”
3. Throughout his lifetime, Gandhi would walk and travel almost 18 kilometres every day.
4. Gandhi, who is known worldwide for his philosophies pertaining to non-violence, had served in the army during the Boer War.
He only clearly understood the horror of combat after serving in the war.
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@Bilal: We as Indian respect Jinnah but don't compare Jinnah with mahatma Gandhi(the philosopher and the greatest person of 20th century).
Gandhi's autobiography: "My experiment with truth"
@Hissan: It is his final resting place and govt. made it as memorial.
@Hissan: He was assasinated by a Hindu Fanatic, in the Birla house, New Delhi. The road is now named thees janvari road. Raj ghat is where he was cremated.
@Hissan: Rajghat is a memorial. Gandhi was cremeted n his ashes were immersed in the Ganga at sangam, allahabad ...
In today's world of money and glamour which supersedes all human values, Gandhi stands out in history of mankind. He is a book in social, philosophical, political, and human sciences. His work is a must for students, especially for those who plan for public career and career in government. Wherever he lived in his life, he left his lastIng impression and values. The US would not have been the same during and after the civil rights era, had it not been for him.
Incidentally, the conviction of the youngsters, who later on came to occupy prominent positions in the US society, who sat at the all white counters were vacated and the state apologized with great regret. The youngsters were charged with "crime" of "trespassing" for sitting in all white counter, convicted of $100 fine or 30 days in jail. They refused to pay the fine. It is one of the events that shook the American conscious. The events that followed changed America, for good.
Do events similar to this in Gandhi's life rings a bell? Those youngsters did not know anything of Gandhi, they just followed their inner conscious. Human values and conscious are the same, if one rises upto the challenge.
Lesson for PAK YouR children or grandchildren will one day ask you what were you doing when the religious fanatics were killing your neighbor for their different beliefs men, women and children in the name of Allah, to whom you also prostrate; Why did you continue to support the state sponsored discrimination? What is going to be your answer for them:- I was trying to protect my family, my voice was drowned, politicians were corrupt, military was strong, I was one man, I left it to allah's will ?
Gandhi was not in fevour of division . He is a father of his India . The present India belongs to several martyres that's we are mossaic . World address him as father of nation but we consider him father of ''Ariyawart''
Dear ET, I understand the love and affection you guys have for India but please consider the fact that you are a Pakistani newspaper/website and it hurts to see Gandhi's picture captioned as "father of the nation". The only father this(Pakistani) nation has is Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Appreciate the report. Especially as its coming from a Pakistani news outlet. Just one concern, is the Rajghat "final resting place" or only a memorial?
thanks ET. its always a pleasure to see the sensible and unbiased journalism from you. i highly appreciate your efforts.