Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation" (though not officially). The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution that declared that October 2 will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the 2nd of October, every year and is one of the three official declared National Holidays of India and is observed in all its states and union territories. The other two are Independence Day (15 August) and Republic Day (26 January). Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, especially at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi where he was cremated.
The popular celebration includes prayer meetings, and commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions, and socio-political institutions. Painting and essay competitions are conducted and the best awards are awarded for projects in schools and the community, on themes of glorifying peace, non-violence, and Gandhi's effort in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Usually, Gandhi's favorite devotional song, Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram, is usually sung in memory of him.
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