New Delhi, October 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, highlighting that his timeless teachings “continue to illuminate our path.”
On this significant day, the nation remembered both Bapu and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, revered freedom fighters and stalwarts of India, as both were born on October 2. Early in the morning, Modi paid his respects to Shastri at the Vijay Ghat memorial.
This day marked the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, often hailed as the Father of the Nation. He led India to freedom through the path of non-violence and remains a globally revered figure.
Around 8 am, Modi arrived at Rajghat, where he offered floral petals at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and paid his respects.
An interfaith prayer service was conducted at Rajghat, featuring the devotional songs that Gandhi held dear.
Modi expressed his sentiments on the occasion, stating, “I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion.”
He continued, “May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster to be the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over.”
Modi also shared a video of German singer Cassandra Mae’s rendition of Gandhi’s favorite prayer ‘Vaishnava Jana To,’ noting that his thoughts resonate with people worldwide. He encouraged everyone to listen to her soulful rendition and recalled mentioning the young visually impaired singer in his recent ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast, where he had highlighted her deep affection for Indian music.
Several Union ministers and bureaucrats were present at Rajghat on this occasion, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Modi also paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri, acknowledging that his iconic call for ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer) remains relevant even today. He praised Shastri’s unwavering commitment to India’s progress and his exemplary leadership during challenging times, expressing the hope that India would continue to work towards realizing Shastri’s vision for a strong and prosperous nation.
