Gandhi Jayanti: PM Modi Pays Tribute at Rajghat, Honours Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on Friday as India marked the birth anniversaries of two leaders whose legacies continue to shape its public life.

At Rajghat, Modi attended the Sarva-Dharma Prarthana, an interfaith prayer gathering at Gandhi’s memorial, on his 157th birth anniversary. He also visited Vijay Ghat to honour Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary.

Leaders Gather at Rajghat

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were among those who paid floral tributes at Rajghat.

Gupta also visited Vijay Ghat to pay tribute to Shastri.

In Jaipur, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma honoured both leaders at the Rajasthan Secretariat, while cleanliness programmes elsewhere marked Gandhi Jayanti.

Murmu’s Call for Peace and Inclusion

In her message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the continuing relevance of Gandhi’s philosophy in a world affected by war and conflict.

“In these circumstances, Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence becomes even more relevant,” she said.

Murmu linked India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 to empathy and inclusion, stressing that no citizen should be deprived of the benefits of development. She said this reflected Gandhi’s ideal of Sarvodaya, or the welfare and upliftment of all.

“On the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, let us reaffirm our commitment to building an empowered, developed and Atmanirbhar Bharat through our ethical conduct and active participation,” the President said.

Cleanliness Drives Across States

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini participated in a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan programme in Gurugram and appealed to residents to keep the city clean.

In Vijayawada, a Swachhathon 2026 event was organised under the Swachhata Hi Seva programme.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy called for a nationwide cleanliness drive from October 2 to October 31, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. He urged citizens, educational institutions, government and private establishments, and voluntary organisations to participate.

Remembering Gandhi and Shastri

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi is remembered for his leadership of India’s freedom movement and his commitment to non-violence. His birth anniversary is also observed as the United Nations-designated International Day of Non-Violence.

Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, and served as prime minister from 1964 to 1966. His slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” recognised the contributions of soldiers and farmers. His legacy includes his leadership during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and emphasis on agriculture and self-reliance.

With inputs from ANI