Martyrs’ Day: President Kovind, others pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary

President Ram
Nath Kovind on Saturday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. The President took to Twitter and
wrote that the country was grateful to him and “we all should follow his ideals
of peace, non-violence, simplicity, purity of means and humility.”

Every year, January 30 is observed as the Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas in India to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the nation’. Lovingly referred as ‘Bapu’, Gandhi played a crucial role in the freedom struggle of India. This year marks his 73rd death anniversary.

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He tweeted, “On
behalf of a grateful nation, my humble tributes to the Father of the Nation,
Mahatma Gandhi who embraced martyrdom this day. We should adhere to his ideals
of peace, non-violence, simplicity, purity of means and humility. Let us
resolve to follow his path of truth and love”.

Also read: Farmers to hold ‘Sadbhavna Diwas’ on January 30, observe day-long fast

Vice-President
Venkaiah Naidu also remembered bapu’s duty on this occasion and tweeted, “Ahimsa is the highest duty. Even if we cannot practice it in full, we
must try to understand its spirit and refrain as far as is humanly possible
from violence.- Mahatma Gandhi. My respectful tributes to the #FatherOfTheNation,
#MahatmaGandhi Ji on his death anniversary today”.

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The official Twitter handle of Congress also paid homage
to the Father of the nation and wrote, “On 30th Jan 1948, the world lost a
guiding light & a symbol of peace and non-violence. On this day, we observe
Martyrs Day to pay a billion salutations to Mahatma Gandhi and every other
martyr who sacrificed their life for the nation’s freedom”.

Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on this day in
1948 during his evening prayers at Gandhi Smriti in the Birla House.