A National Holiday With a Global Message
New Delhi: India is observing Gandhi Jayanti today, October 2, marking the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. The day is a national holiday, with government offices, schools, colleges and banks remaining closed across the country.
October 2 also marks the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister, whose 122nd birth anniversary is being observed alongside. Leaders across the political spectrum paid homage at Rajghat in the national capital this morning.
Why October 2 Is Observed
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. The apostle of non-violence led India’s freedom struggle through Satyagraha and civil disobedience, and his philosophy went on to inspire civil-rights movements across the world. In 2007, the United Nations declared October 2 the International Day of Non-Violence in his honour.
Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, steered the country through the 1965 war with Pakistan and gave the nation the enduring slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Remembered for his simplicity and integrity, Shastri remains a benchmark for public life in India.
What’s Closed and What’s Open Today
As a national holiday, all central and state government offices, schools, colleges and public-sector banks are shut. The NSE and BSE have declared a trading holiday, so equity, derivatives and currency markets are closed for the day. Several states also observe a dry day, with liquor shops remaining shut.
Essential services continue to function: hospitals and emergency services operate as usual, while public transport runs on a holiday timetable in most cities. Private offices may choose to remain open at their discretion.
How the Day Is Being Marked
Prayer meetings and commemorative functions are being held at Rajghat, Gandhi’s memorial in Delhi, where the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister traditionally offer floral tributes. Similar ceremonies are taking place at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and at Vijay Ghat, Shastri’s memorial. Institutions are organising essay competitions, cleanliness drives and cultural programmes centred on Gandhian values.
Why It Still Matters
Nearly eight decades after Independence, Gandhi’s message of truth and non-violence continues to resonate — from climate activism to movements for social justice around the world. For students and young citizens, the holiday is as much a moment of remembrance as it is of reflection on the ideals the two leaders stood for: honesty in public life, courage of conviction and service to the nation.
