The nation pays homage to the Mahatma
by Chandrika Jain

     New Delhi: The whole of India observed the 58th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation's martyrdom on Monday. In New Delhi, President APJ Abdul Kalam paid homage at Rajghat, Gandhiji's memorial. He was joined by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his cabinet colleagues and others, in offering floral tributes. The solemn ceremony at Rajghat began with prayers and recitals religious scriptures.

    Gandhiji, largely credited as the architect of India's freedom from 200 years of British colonial rule. The Mahatma, whose original name was Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi, is venerated all over India. His message of non-violence, uprightness and care for the poor and downtrodden has become an integral part of Indian socio-economic life. Gandhiji, who would even observe "fast unto death" to extol Hindus and Muslims to stop rioting, has been the symbol of secularism and a strong advocate against the deep rooted caste discrimination in Hindu society. His decades-long non-violent movement has inspired leaders like exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, who led a movement against apartheid policies of racial segregation in South Africa. Gandhiji was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar in the state of Gujarat. A lawyer by profession, he struggled for India's independence from British rule through peaceful non-violent ways. In January 1948, at the age of 79, he was killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic. less than a year after India became independent.

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