Martyrs' Day 2024: Mahatma Gandhi's Quotes, Facts, and Rare Photos on Shaheed Diwas

Martyrs’ Day, or Shaheed Diwas, is observed every year on January 30. The day marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1948 in the compound of Birla House New Delhi, after one of his routine multi-faith prayer meetings. The assassin, Nathuram Godse, a member of the Hindu Mahasabha, disagreed with Gandhi’s views on the partition of India. Gandhi was shot and killed. It is said that the last words Gandhi uttered were “Hey Ram”.

Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Porbandar, Gujarat, on October 2, 1869, Gandhi’s journey began after his return to India from England. He spearheaded the freedom movement, leading peaceful protests and civil disobedience against British rule. His unwavering commitment to non-violence and truth earned him the title Mahatma, meaning “Great Soul.”

Under Gandhi’s leadership, India achieved independence on August 15, 1947. Martyrs’ Day serves as a solemn occasion to honour the sacrifices of all those who fought for this freedom, reminding us of the values and principles that guided their struggle. It’s a day for reflection, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to upholding the ideals of peace, justice, and freedom that they cherished.

On Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, here’s a look at rare photos, inspirational quotes, and interesting facts about the Father of the Nation.

MAHATMA GANDHI’S RARE PHOTOS

MAHATMA GANDHI’S DEATH ANNIVERSARY INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

• A ‘No’ uttered from deepest conviction us better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.
• Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.
• The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
• The greatness of humanity is not in being human but in being humane.
• An ounce of practice is worth a thousand words.
• The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.
• Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.
• Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
• If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.
• Glory lies in the attempt to reach one’s goal and not in reaching it.
• A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.
• If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.
• It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing.
• I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
• You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
• Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.
• Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
• There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience.

MAHATMA GANDHI’S DEATH ANNIVERSARY: INTERESTING FACTS

1. “Have I that non-violence of the brave in me? My death alone will show that. If someone killed me and I died with prayer for the assassin on my lips, and God’s remembrance and consciousness of His living presence in the sanctuary of my heart, then alone would I be said to have had the non-violence of the brave,” Gandhi had said a few days before he was killed.
2. A lawyer, politician, leader, social reformer and a nationalist, Gandhi is one of the leading figures of the Indian independence movement.
3. “Satya” or Truth and “Ahimsa” or non-violence were his two most important guiding principles and also his weapons which he wielded against the British Empire to secure the freedom of India.
4. He was also a champion of the minority rights and devoted his life in building and strengthening communal harmony, particularly between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
5. For his unparalleled contribution, he is regarded as the Father of the nation.He is also fondly remembered as Bapu.