On the anniversary of his passing, Mahatma Gandhi’s great contributions to the country and his everlasting dedication to truth and non-violence were honored at the Gandhi Smriti Memorial in Rajghat.

Along with other top dignitaries, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the somber ceremony honoring the Father of the Nation.

On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was killed. Since then, the day has been commemorated as Martyrs’ Day, also called “Shaheed Diwas” or “Sarvodaya Day,” in remembrance of him and the innumerable others who gave their lives in defense of India’s independence.

The devotional song “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” which Mahatma Gandhi himself popularized, was played throughout the occasion as a tribute. The bhajan has long been connected to Mahatma Gandhi’s political and spiritual development.

Prime Minister Modi paid his respects on X ,” Tributes to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals motivate us to build a developed India. I also pay tributes to all those martyred for our nation and recall their service as well as sacrifices.”

J.P. Nadda, the president of the BJP and a Union minister, too paid his condolences, highlighting Gandhi’s belief in independence and wrote on X, “I pay my heartfelt tribute to the eternal worshiper of truth and non-violence, the great leader of the Indian freedom movement, ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his tribute, highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s role in uniting the nation and his global impact.

“On behalf of the grateful nation, I pay my tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the leading figure of the Indian freedom movement, who popularised the Indian values of truth, non-violence, and the fight against injustice across the world, on his death anniversary. Mahatma Gandhi strengthened the freedom movement by binding the country in the thread of unity. His thoughts towards cleanliness, self-reliance, and the empowerment of rural India will continue to inspire the countrymen” he wrote on X.

Respected as the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded India’s independence movement by promoting civil disobedience and nonviolence as effective strategies against colonial control. Global movements for justice and peace are still motivated by his teachings.