Prez Murmu, V-P Dhankhar, PM Modi pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

January 30, 2025

New Delhi: Tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Smriti Memorial at Rajghat on his death anniversary, honouring his immense contributions to the nation and his unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the solemn ceremony, joined by other senior leaders in remembering the Father of the Nation.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. Since then, the day has been observed as Martyrs’ Day, also known as ‘Shaheed Diwas’ or ‘Sarvodaya Day,’ to honour him and countless others who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom. As a tribute, the devotional song ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,’ which was popularised by Mahatma Gandhi himself, was played during the ceremony. The bhajan, set to tune by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in Raga Mishra Gara, has long been associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual and political journey.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi took to X to express his tribute. “Tributes to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals motivate us to build a developed India. I also pay tributes to all those martyred for our nation and recall their service as well as sacrifices,” he wrote.

Tributes to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals motivate us to build a developed India. I also pay tributes to all those martyred for our nation and recall their service as well as sacrifices.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2025

BJP President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda also paid his respects, emphasising Gandhi’s philosophy of self-reliance. “I pay my heartfelt tribute to the eternal worshiper of truth and non-violence, the great leader of the Indian freedom movement, ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary,” he posted on X. “Bapu’s ideas centred on Swadeshi and self-reliance are paving the way for an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. His life ideals will always inspire the entire humanity,” he added.

सत्य और अहिंसा के शाश्वत पुजारी, भारतीय स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन के महान नेता ‘राष्ट्रपिता’ महात्मा गांधी जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें कोटिशः नमन करता हूँ।

बापू के स्वदेशी व स्वावलंबन केंद्रित विचार, आत्मनिर्भर और विकसित भारत के पथ प्रशस्त कर रहे हैं। उनके जीवन आदर्श सम्पूर्ण मानवता को… pic.twitter.com/SoSucUVnFP

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 30, 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his tribute, highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s role in uniting the nation and his global impact. “On behalf of the grateful nation, I pay my tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the leading figure of the Indian freedom movement, who popularised the Indian values of truth, non-violence, and the fight against injustice across the world, on his death anniversary,” he wrote on X.

सत्य, अहिंसा और अन्याय के ख़िलाफ़ संघर्ष के भारतीय मूल्यों को पूरी दुनिया में लोकप्रिय बनाने वाले, भारतीय स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन के अग्रणी पुरुष महात्मा गाँधी जी को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र की ओर से वंदन करता हूँ।

महात्मा गाँधी जी ने देश को एकता के सूत्र में बाँधकर आज़ादी के… pic.twitter.com/FsXJilTyFL

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 30, 2025

“Mahatma Gandhi strengthened the freedom movement by binding the country in the thread of unity. His thoughts towards cleanliness, self-reliance, and the empowerment of rural India will continue to inspire the countrymen,” he added. Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the Father of the Nation, was the architect of India’s freedom struggle, championing non-violence and civil disobedience as powerful tools against colonial rule. His teachings continue to inspire movements for justice and peace across the world. –IANS sd/