Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. His birthday is celebrated annually as Gandhi Jayanti in India, a national holiday. It is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence worldwide, as declared by the United Nations, to honor his philosophy of non-violence and peace.
Mahatma Gandhi is called the "Father of the Nation" in India due to his pivotal role in leading the country's struggle for independence from British rule through non-violent civil disobedience. His philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (truth and resistance to oppression) inspired mass movements across India, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in the fight for freedom.
Some key reasons for this title include:
1. **Leadership in the Independence Movement**: Gandhi played a central role in organizing and mobilizing millions of Indians to participate in non-violent protests like the Salt March (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942), which challenged British colonial authority.
2. **Advocate of Non-Violence**: His approach to securing independence through peaceful means, rather than armed rebellion, had a profound impact on India's national consciousness and became a global example of peaceful resistance.
3. **Moral Leadership**: Gandhi not only fought for political freedom but also worked towards social reforms, including the upliftment of the poor, the eradication of untouchability, and the promotion of communal harmony.
For these contributions, Gandhi is revered as the "Father of the Nation," a symbol of India's journey towards self-determination and social justice.