International Day of Non-Violence, Birth Anniversary of Gandhi And Shastri
October 2 is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations. It was marked to spread the message of non-violence through education and public awareness. This day was designated since it is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. He started and followed the strategy of non-violence. He said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.
In India, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated every year since he initiated the non-violence movement against the British rule and fought for India’s independence. He led the Dandi Salt March in 1930. In 1942, he launched the Quit India Movement. He was against untouchability, the social evil. He initiated the Swadeshi movement by taking up the charkha (spinning wheel) and encouraged people to spin their own cloth.
October 2 is also the birth anniversary of another great leader, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was the second Prime Minister of India after independence. He was soft-spoken and humble. He was a great leader. Under his leadership, India won the 1965 war against Pakistan. This was a huge boost to the morale of the soldiers after the China war of 1962. When India faced food scarcity as a result of war efforts, he encouraged the country to fast once a week – every Monday. He started the fasting with himself and the entire country rose in support. He coined one of the most famous slogans to inspire the soldiers and farmers: “Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan”, when India was affected by war and scarcity of food.