Nation remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary as leaders gather at Rajghat
GTNS| NEW DELHI | OCTOBER 2, 2026
Rajghat became the centre of the nation’s Gandhi Jayanti observance on Friday as President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the commemorative proceedings marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary.
President Murmu attended the Sarva Dharma Prarthana at Gandhi’s memorial, where prayers from different faith traditions formed part of the national tribute. The gathering reflected the tradition of remembering Gandhi through his emphasis on peace, non-violence and communal harmony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached Rajghat and paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Later, he visited Vijay Ghat to pay homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. The Prime Minister said the lives of Gandhi and Shastri, marked by simplicity, courage and service to the nation, continue to inspire generations.
The President had, in her Gandhi Jayanti message, highlighted the continuing relevance of Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and non-violence, particularly amid conflicts in different parts of the world. She also connected Gandhi’s idea of Sarvodaya, or the welfare and upliftment of all, with the national objective of ensuring inclusive development.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, recalled Gandhi’s emphasis on truth, non-violence, compassion and service. In a separate Gandhi Jayanti message, he also highlighted Gandhi’s advocacy of Swadeshi and Khadi, urging citizens to purchase at least one Khadi product on October 2.
The Rajghat ceremony brought together the country’s constitutional leadership and other dignitaries for a solemn remembrance of Gandhi, whose role in India’s freedom movement and philosophy of non-violent resistance remain central to the nation’s public memory.
The Sarva Dharma Prarthana added a message of interfaith respect to the commemoration, while the tributes by the President and Prime Minister placed Gandhi’s ideals of peace, service and social harmony at the centre of this year’s Gandhi Jayanti observance.
Across the country, Gandhi Jayanti was observed through prayer meetings, cleanliness activities, public programmes and tributes, marking the birth anniversary of a leader whose political and social philosophy continues to be discussed in India and internationally.