October 2 – International Day of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. This day is referred to in India as Gandhi Jayanti. In January 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had taken a proposal for an International Day of Non-Violence from a Hindi teacher in Paris teaching international students to the World Social Forum in Bombay. On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Famous Quotes of Mahatma Gandhi
  • The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
  • Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.
  • Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Facts about Mahatma Gandhi
  • M. K. Gandhi was responsible for the Civil Rights movement in 4 continents and 12 countries
  • Most relics of Gandhiji including the clothes he wore when he was shot are still preserved in Gandhi Museum, Madurai
  • He was thinking of dissolving the Congress a day before he died
  • Gandhi was arrested 14 times and spent a total of 6 years in prison
  • Gandhi has influenced almost all leaders of the 20th century. Some include – Martin Luther King, Syu Ki, Nelson Mandela and many more
  • In India, Martyrs’ Day is observed on 30th of January. The date was chosen as it marks the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1948.
Tidbit

October – 2 is also the Birth Date of Lal Bahadur Shashtri, one of the greatest politicians of India.

Test Your GK

What was the famous slogan given by Shashtri Ji?

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Answer – Jai Jawaan. Jai Kisaan.