2 October: International Day of Non-violence

The International Day of Non-violence is celebrated every year on 2 October throughout world on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of Indian independence movement and also pioneer of philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa).
Observance of this day seeks to promote principles of non-violence through education and public awareness and is observed by all countries of the UN. In India, this day is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti.

International day of Non-Violence

The day was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution A/RES/61/271 in June 2007 to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. The resolution reaffirmed universal relevance of principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) is known for playing main role in freeing India from clutches of British. He was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, in Bombay Presidency of British India. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse.
Gandhiji is fondly known as ‘Bapu’ for his selfless contribution towards India’s Independence struggle. He is unofficially called Father of the Nation. He had studied law at University College London. He later returned to India and worked with Indian Firm in South Africa.
Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 and joined Indian National Congress. He led nationwide campaigns for various social causes and for achieving Swaraj or self-rule. He led peaceful protests and started creating awareness about oppress rule of British in India. His non-violent methods including Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience is known worldwide.
Some of the famous protests led by Gandhiji against British rule include Dandi March and non-cooperation movement that gave severe blows to the British government. Eventually, his fame spread all over India and in year 1921 he became leader of Indian National Congress,
He lived modestly in self-sufficient residential community and wore traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn hand-spun on charkha. He also undertook long fasts as a means of both self-purification and political protest. At multiple times he was jailed however he continued his efforts.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2017