Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, remembering the Father of the Nation’s enduring message of ahimsa (non-violence) and swadeshi as foundational to India’s journey toward a developed and self-reliant future.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said Gandhi’s emphasis on swadeshi continues to guide India’s resolve to build an aatmanirbhar nation. “Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi ko unki punyatithi par mera shat-shat naman,” PM Modi wrote, adding that Bapu’s life and work would “always inspire citizens to walk the path of duty.”
Highlighting Gandhi’s philosophy, the Prime Minister noted that non-violence carries a transformative power capable of changing the world without weapons. “Pujya Bapu ne manavta ki raksha ke liye hamesha ahimsa par bal diya. Ismein woh shakti hai, jo bina hathiyar ke duniya ko badal sakti hai,” he said.
PM Modi also invoked classical verses underscoring the moral primacy of non-violence and truth, writing, “Ahimsa paramo dharmastatha ahimsa parantapah. Ahimsa paramam satyam yato dharmah pravartate.”
January 30 is observed as Martyrs’ Day in India, marking the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.
Gandhi’s ideals of truth, non-violence, self-reliance and ethical politics shaped India’s freedom struggle and continue to influence public life and policymaking decades after Independence.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly linked Gandhi’s advocacy of swadeshi, the use of indigenous goods, to contemporary initiatives aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, innovation and self-sufficiency.
Gandhi viewed swadeshi not merely as an economic idea but as a moral and social movement to empower communities and promote dignity of labour.
Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa has also resonated globally, inspiring civil rights movements and leaders across continents. Indian leaders across the political spectrum traditionally pay tributes to him on Martyrs’ Day, reaffirming commitment to his ideals.
As the nation remembered Bapu, PM Modi’s message underscored the continued relevance of Gandhi’s teachings in addressing modern challenges, urging citizens to draw strength from non-violence, truth and self-reliance in shaping India’s future.
