Every year on 2 October, India pauses to remember a man who led a nation to freedom without picking up a weapon. In 2017, Gandhi Jayanti marks the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It also arrives in the same year India marks 100 years of the Champaran Satyagraha, the movement that first made Gandhi a national leader.
Whether you are a student preparing a speech, a teacher planning a school programme, or a parent helping with homework, this guide covers what you need. It has the history, the meaning, the lessons, and practical ideas you can use at school or in your neighbourhood in Dwarka and across Delhi NCR.
Quick Answer: What Is Gandhi Jayanti?
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on 2 October to honour the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (born 2 October 1869, Porbandar, Gujarat). He is respected as the Father of the Nation for leading India’s non-violent freedom struggle. It is one of India’s three national holidays, and the United Nations observes the same date as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Who Was Mahatma Gandhi? A Short History for Students
Early Life and Education
Gandhi was born in 1869 to Putlibai and Karamchand Gandhi. He studied law in London and returned to India as a young barrister who struggled with public speaking. Few would have guessed that this shy lawyer would one day move millions.
The South Africa Years (1893–1914)
In 1893, Gandhi travelled to South Africa for legal work. Being thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg for sitting in a first-class compartment changed his life. Over the next two decades he developed Satyagraha, the idea of holding firmly to truth through peaceful resistance.
Return to India (1915) and the Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Gandhi returned to India in 1915. In 1917, in Champaran, Bihar, he stood with indigo farmers who were forced to grow indigo under unfair terms. His peaceful campaign won them relief. 2017 marks 100 years of this movement, which makes this year’s Gandhi Jayanti especially meaningful for history students.
Major Movements Led by Gandhi
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Champaran Satyagraha (1917): support for farmers in Bihar
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Kheda and Ahmedabad (1918): farmers’ and mill workers’ rights
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Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): peaceful refusal to cooperate with British rule
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Dandi March / Salt Satyagraha (1930): a march of roughly 240 miles to make salt in defiance of the salt tax
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Quit India Movement (1942): the call of “Do or Die”
Why These Movements Worked
Each campaign was built on three things: a clear message, ordinary people’s participation, and complete discipline. A good message that reaches the right people is still the secret of every successful campaign today.
Remember This for Exams
Gandhi’s autobiography is The Story of My Experiments with Truth, and his early political book is Hind Swaraj (1909). His journals Young India and Navajivan carried his ideas to the public.
Why Is Gandhi Called the “Father of the Nation”?
The title is widely traced to Subhas Chandra Bose, who addressed Gandhi this way in a 1944 radio broadcast. The title reflects how Gandhi united people across religion, region and class in one common goal. He is also affectionately called Bapu, and “Mahatma” (great soul) is the honour by which the world knows him.
Why Do We Celebrate Gandhi Jayanti? (Significance)
Gandhi Jayanti is not only a holiday. It is a reminder of values that matter for young people today:
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Truth (Satya): be honest in your words and actions
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Non-violence (Ahimsa): solve conflicts with dialogue, not aggression
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Simplicity: live with what you need and respect resources
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Self-reliance: the spirit behind the charkha and khadi
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Cleanliness: Gandhi insisted on sanitation as part of freedom
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Equality: respect for people of every faith and background
International Day of Non-Violence
In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2 October the International Day of Non-Violence. This gave Gandhi’s message of peace a global stage and made the day relevant to students everywhere, not only in India.
Gandhi Jayanti and Swachh Bharat
The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 October 2014, Gandhi’s birth anniversary, to honour his dream of a clean India. In 2017, as the mission completes three years, schools and colleges across Delhi NCR are organising cleanliness drives. This is one of the most practical ways to celebrate the day.
How Gandhi Jayanti Is Celebrated
At Rajghat, New Delhi
Rajghat, where Gandhi was cremated after his assassination on 30 January 1948, becomes the national centre of tribute. Leaders and citizens offer flowers and attend a multi-faith prayer meeting.
Prayers and Bhajans
The prayer meeting traditionally includes the bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and Vaishnav Jan To, Gandhi’s favourite hymns.
In Schools and Colleges
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Speeches, essay and poster competitions
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Skits on the Dandi March and Champaran
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Cleanliness drives and plantation programmes
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Quiz contests on the freedom struggle
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Spinning on the charkha and khadi exhibitions
A Day to Remember Another Leader
2 October is also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri (born 1904), India’s second Prime Minister, remembered for the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.”
Gandhi Jayanti Speech for Students (Ready to Use)
Here is a short speech you can adapt for school:
“Respected principal, teachers and dear friends, good morning. Today, 2 October 2017, we celebrate the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation. Gandhiji taught us that real strength lies in truth and non-violence, not in force. This year is also the hundredth anniversary of the Champaran Satyagraha, where he stood with farmers peacefully and won justice. Let us promise today to speak the truth, keep our surroundings clean, respect every person and use our education to serve our country. Thank you. Jai Hind.”
Tips to Deliver a Great Speech
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Start with a short, powerful line about Gandhi’s life
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Mention one specific event, such as Dandi March or Champaran
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Add one lesson you personally will follow
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Speak slowly, make eye contact, and finish within two to three minutes
10 Lines on Gandhi Jayanti for Class 1–8 Students
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Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2 October every year.
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Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat.
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His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
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He is called the Father of the Nation and Bapu.
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He led India’s freedom struggle with truth and non-violence.
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The Dandi March was his famous protest against the salt tax.
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This day is a national holiday in India.
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The UN observes it as the International Day of Non-Violence.
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People pay tribute to him at Rajghat in Delhi.
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His message is “My life is my message.”
Famous Gandhi Quotes Students Love
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“My life is my message.” — Mahatma Gandhi
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“Truth is God.” — Gandhi’s belief about the supreme value of truth
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Non-violence is the greatest force that humankind has at its disposal, a thought he repeated through his life
Use a quote in your essay introduction or conclusion. Examiners notice it when it is relevant and short.
Gandhi’s Communication Lessons for Today’s Students
Gandhi was also a gifted communicator. He wrote regularly in his weekly journals, used symbols everyone understood (the spinning wheel, the salt, the walking stick), and spoke in simple language that reached villagers and leaders alike.
Those lessons still apply today. Students and young professionals who want careers in communication can learn from them:
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Clear writing wins. Strong content writing is simple, honest and useful to the reader.
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Symbols build identity. A good logo, colour and message come together in smart web designing.
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Reach the people where they are. Today that means social media optimization across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Be discoverable. Gandhi’s ideas spread through journals. Today, good search engine optimization is how ideas, schools and businesses get found on Google.
If you are a student in Dwarka or anywhere in Delhi NCR who wants to turn this interest into a skill, the digital marketing course is a practical place to start.
Celebrating Gandhi Jayanti in Dwarka and Delhi NCR
Schools, coaching institutes and community groups in Dwarka, Dwarka Mor and across Delhi NCR often organise programmes on 2 October. Here are some ideas that work well:
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A cleanliness drive around your sector’s park or market
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A khadi and handicraft stall run by students
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A peace rally or poster walk near the school
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An online quiz or essay contest shared on social media
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A photo exhibition on the life of Gandhi
Promoting Your School or Institute Event Online
If you run a school, coaching institute or NGO, people can only join your event if they know about it. A few simple steps help:
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Create an event page or banner on a fast, mobile-friendly website built with proper web development.
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Share short updates and photos using a consistent social media optimization plan.
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Keep your Google Business Profile updated so people searching locally can find your venue and timings.
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Publish a short report after the event so your community and parents can read it.
A digital marketing company in Delhi such as AMICI Global Solutions helps educational institutions, retail shops and local businesses in Dwarka reach the right audience. You can also read more helpful guides on our blog or learn about the team on the About Us page.
How to Write a Gandhi Jayanti Essay (Student Guide)
A strong essay of 300–500 words usually follows this structure:
Step-by-Step Structure
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Introduction: 2 October, Gandhi’s birth, Gandhi Jayanti 2017 as the 148th anniversary
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Early life: Porbandar, education, South Africa
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Role in freedom struggle: Champaran, Non-Cooperation, Dandi March, Quit India
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Principles: truth, non-violence, simplicity, self-reliance
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Relevance today: cleanliness, peace, honesty, respect for all
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Conclusion: a pledge to follow at least one of his values
Keywords to Include in Your Essay
Gandhi Jayanti, Father of the Nation, Satyagraha, Ahimsa, Dandi March, Champaran, International Day of Non-Violence, Swachh Bharat, Rajghat.
Why Gandhi’s Message Still Matters in 2017
In a world of fast news and quick reactions, Gandhi’s approach feels almost radical. He believed in patience, listening and standing up for what is right without hatred. For students, three habits matter most:
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Be honest in studies and relationships
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Stay calm in disagreement
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Serve others, even in small ways
Gandhi also valued learning by doing. Students who build skills in writing, design and technology can use them to serve their communities, whether by starting a school website, running a campaign for a good cause or growing a small business.
If your family or friends run a business in Dwarka and want to grow it with honest, transparent methods, reaching out to a trusted digital marketing agency in Dwarka is a good first step. You can also get in touch through the Contact Us page. If you are looking to start a career in the field, check the careers page too.
Conclusion
Gandhi Jayanti 2017 is more than a date on the calendar. It is a chance to remember a leader who proved that truth and non-violence can change the course of history, and to carry a little of that spirit into our own lives. This year, with the 148th birth anniversary and the Champaran centenary, the day carries extra meaning.
Speak honestly, keep your surroundings clean, respect every person, and use your skills for good. As Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” Let your actions on 2 October, and every day after it, be yours.
Happy Gandhi Jayanti! Jai Hind!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is Gandhi Jayanti in 2017?
Gandhi Jayanti in 2017 falls on Monday, 2 October 2017. It marks the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Q. Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated?
It is celebrated to honour Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and his contribution to India’s freedom through truth and non-violence. The UN also observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Q. Why is Mahatma Gandhi called the Father of the Nation?
He united Indians of all backgrounds under a non-violent freedom movement. The title is widely traced to a 1944 radio address by Subhas Chandra Bose.
Q. Is Gandhi Jayanti a national holiday?
Yes. Gandhi Jayanti is one of India’s three national holidays, along with Republic Day and Independence Day.
Q. What can students do on Gandhi Jayanti?
Students can give speeches, write essays, join cleanliness drives, take part in quizzes, spin the charkha, and share Gandhi’s message of peace online. Schools and institutes can promote such events through a well-built website and an active social media presence, supported by a reliable digital marketing company.
