Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers floral tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi on Friday, October 2, 2026, on the occasion of Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary. Photo: ANI
Prime Minister attends Sarva-Dharma Prarthana at Rajghat and pays homage to former Prime Minister Shastri at Vijay Ghat
Key Highlights
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on his 157th birth anniversary.
- Modi attended the Sarva-Dharma Prarthana at Gandhi’s memorial.
- The Prime Minister also paid homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat.
- Leaders across the country marked Gandhi Jayanti with tributes and cleanliness initiatives.
- October 2 also marks the 122nd birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, remembering two leaders whose lives remain closely associated with public service, simplicity and national duty.
Modi visited Rajghat in the national capital and offered floral tributes at Gandhi’s memorial. He also attended the Sarva-Dharma Prarthana, organised to commemorate the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Prime Minister later visited Vijay Ghat, the memorial of Lal Bahadur Shastri, and paid homage to the former Prime Minister on his 122nd birth anniversary.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was among those who attended the prayer gathering at Rajghat. She also visited Vijay Ghat to pay tribute to Shastri.
Several other national leaders offered floral tributes at Rajghat, while commemorative programmes and cleanliness initiatives were organised in different parts of the country.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her Gandhi Jayanti message, underlined the continuing relevance of Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and non-violence. Referring to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, she emphasised empathy and inclusion and recalled Gandhi’s concept of Sarvodaya — the welfare and upliftment of all.
Cleanliness campaigns also formed an important part of the commemorations. In Gurugram, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini participated in a Swachh Bharat initiative and appealed to citizens to help keep their surroundings clean. A Swachhathon was organised in Vijayawada under the Swachhata Hi Seva programme.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy called for a month-long cleanliness campaign beginning on Gandhi Jayanti and continuing until the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31. He appealed to citizens, educational institutions, government and private organisations and voluntary groups to participate.
Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Mahatma Gandhi made truth and non-violence central to his political and social philosophy. His birth anniversary is also observed internationally as the International Day of Non-Violence.
October 2 also commemorates Lal Bahadur Shastri, born in 1904. Prime Minister from 1964 until 1966, Shastri is particularly remembered for “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” a call that brought the contribution of India’s soldiers and farmers together in the national consciousness.
The simultaneous remembrance of Gandhi and Shastri makes October 2 an occasion not only for ceremonial homage but also for recalling the values of public duty, simplicity, peace and service associated with their lives.
