Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

The nation fondly remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 138th birth anniversary on Tuesday, with President Pratibha Patil leading the countrymen in paying rich tributes to the leader of non–violence.

While an inter–religious prayer meeting marked the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, leaders, children, youth and women gathered at Rajghat, the samadhi of Gandhi to pay their respects.

Hymns from various sacred texts were also rendered by Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians.

Apart from Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A K Anthony, former Prime Minister I K Gujral, Minister of State for PMO Prithviraj Chavan and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit paid floral tributes at Rajghat.

As a British–educated lawyer, Gandhi first employed his ideas of peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian community's struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Upon his return to India, he organized poor farmers and laborers to protest against oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination.

Assuming leadership, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for brotherhood amongst differing religions and ethnicities, for an end to untouchability and caste discrimination, and for the economic self–sufficiency of the nation, but above all for Swaraj—the independence of India from foreign domination.

Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to non–violence and truth even in the most extreme situations. Non–cooperation and peaceful resistance were Gandhi's "weapons" in the fight against injustice.

Millie Graham Polak, a member of Gandhi's household in South Africa quoted Gandhi's Christian relationship saying, "Mr. Gandhi frequently quoted the sayings and teachings of Jesus. The lesson of the "Sermon on the Mount" seemed to constantly remain in his mind, and was a source of guidance and inspiration to him. There was beautiful picture of Jesus Christ that adorned the wall over his desk."

Nearly 60 years after his death, Mahatma Gandhi's legacy still lives on, and his message of non–violence resonates with people across the globe.

On 15 June 2007, it was announced that the "United Nations General Assembly" has "unanimously adopted" a resolution which has declared October 2 to be "the International Day of Non–Violence."