To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, major events have been planned throughout the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, to pay his respect to the father of the nation.
A 'sarvadharm prarthana' – an all faith prayer – will be held at the Gandhi Ashram. PM Modi will also declare the nation open defecation-free (ODF) in the presence of over 20,000 village heads.
PM Modi first visited the Raj Ghat, the resting place of the Father of the Nation, to pay his tributes. He then proceeded to homage to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, who also shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi.
As part of other scheduled programs, the Bharatiya Janata Party president, Amit Shah, will flag off the party's nationwide "Gandhi Sankalp Yatra", with senior party leaders and union ministers.
The four-month-long drive is aimed to propagate Gandhi's ideals of cleanliness, simplicity, use of Khadi and non-violence.
Here are the Live updates of today's events:
Clean-up drive conducted at Versova beach
A clean-up drive was conducted at Versova beach on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Rahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee officeRahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office for the party's Gandhi Sandesh Yatra on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) October 2, 2019
Fondly remembering the guiding light of millions around the world, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 150th birth anniversary.#MahatmaGandhi
I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following on October 2, 2019:
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 2, 2019
Today is the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. My salutations and homage to the Great Soul.
The Indian cricket team paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary by wearing stickers giving the message of cleanliness.
Gandhi Sankalp Yatra: Gandhi ji's satyagraha movement brought the British to their knees, says Amit Shah"Gandhi ji's satyagraha movement brought the British to their knees. He showed the path of truth and non-violence to the world," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Gandhi Sankalp Yatra.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered a cleanliness oath to people at an event organised in Delhi Cantonment on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
On his 150th Jayanti, my tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Ji, the “Father of the Nation”, who through his words & deeds, showed us that love for all living beings & non violence is the only way to defeat oppression, bigotry & hatred.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 2, 2019
#Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/ODRLL7o1os
On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched a special sales campaign of Khadi and Village Industries Commission. He also launched cow dung soaps and bamboo bottles.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flagged off 'Fit India Plog run' - a trash-collecting activity while jogging, at Indira Gandhi Stadium on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
