Martyrs’ Day
- POSTED ON: 2 Feb, 2018
- TOTAL VIEWS: 1185 Views
- POSTED BY: Chari Vijayaraghavan
- ARTICLE POINTS: 100 Points
In India, there are several days declared as Martyrs’ Day (at national level also known as Sarvodaya day). They are named in honour of those who are recognised as martyrs for the nation.
30th January is the date observed at the national level. The date was chosen as it marks the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1948, by Nathuram Godse.
Gandhi’s ideals have lasted well beyond the achievement of one of his chief projects, Indian independence (swaraj). His followers in India (notably, Vinoba Bhave) continued working to promote the kind of society that he envisioned, and their efforts have come to be known as the Sarvodaya Movement. Here’s an old video from one of his peace movements – the ‘Salt Satyagraha’ also known as the ‘Dandi March’. [Since the video is over 85 years old, the quality might be poor].
On Martyrs’ Day the president, the vice president, the prime minister, the defence minister, and the three Service Chiefs gather at the samadhi at Raj Ghat memorial and lay wreaths decorated with multi-colour flowers. The armed forces personnel blow bugles sounding the Last Post. The inter-services contingent reverse arms as a mark of respect. A two-minute silence in memory of Indian martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 AM. Participants hold all-religion prayers and sing tributes. A lot of social and charity work is also conducted on this day.
Source : Wikimedia Commons