Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, January 30, 2012: India on Monday paid homage to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi with prayer meetings and floral tributes on his 64th death anniversary observed as Martyrs’ Day.

It was on Jan 30, 1948 that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. A two-minutes silence in memory of the Father of the Nation and other martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 a.m. Gandhi, who was assassinated on Jan 30, 1948, three months past his 78th birthday, indeed was a remarkable personality. Millions of people from across the world held him in high esteem. His death anniversary happens to be observed as Martyrs’ Day in India.

The Republic Day, viz, January 26, which was originally observed as a solemn reminder of those who attained martyrdom while defending the sovereignty of the country and during the freedom struggle preceding the birth of the republic, gave way to Jan 30. The occasion, when the Prime Minister and the three chiefs of the armed forces salute the martyrs at India Gate, has instead turned into an exultant celebration, showcasing the latest weapon acquisitions and advertising military might. It is no longer a solemn occasion.

On Jan 30, sirens at every government establishment wail at 11 am. Even commoners are expected to cease their normal activities and observe silence for two minutes, remembering the souls of those martyred. This is unlike any other homage, whence legislators, parliamentarians and top bureaucrats additionally lay wreaths at some memorial and happily take a day off.

Martyrs’ Day is an annual observance in India to honour all those who gave up their lives in service of the Nation. The observance is celebrated on January 30th of every year. The date was chosen as it marks the 1948 martyrdom of The Father of the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He was felled by an assassin’s bullet on his return from a prayer meeting.

A two-minutes silence in memory of the Father of the Nation and other martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 a.m. Gandhi, who was assassinated on Jan 30, 1948, three months past his 78th birthday, indeed was a remarkable personality. Millions of people from across the world held him in high esteem. His death anniversary happens to be observed as Martyrs’ Day in India.

The Republic Day, viz, January 26, which was originally observed as a solemn reminder of those who attained martyrdom while defending the sovereignty of the country and during the freedom struggle preceding the birth of the republic, gave way to Jan 30. The occasion, when the Prime Minister and the three chiefs of the armed forces salute the martyrs at India Gate, has instead turned into an exultant celebration, showcasing the latest weapon acquisitions and advertising military might. It is no longer a solemn occasion.

On Jan 30, sirens at every government establishment wail at 11 am. Even commoners are expected to cease their normal activities and observe silence for two minutes, remembering the souls of those martyred. This is unlike any other homage, whence legislators, parliamentarians and top bureaucrats additionally lay wreaths at some memorial and happily take a day off.

Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948, shot at point-blank range by Nathuram Godse. Since 1934, there had been five unsuccessful attempts to kill Gandhi. Gandhi was outside on the steps of a building where a prayer meeting was going to take place. He was with some of his families and followers when four gunshots killed him. Many of the people who were present remained long after the assassination, weeping and saying that they felt him leave their souls.

Jan 30 martyrs day on which nation mourns for Mahatma Gandhi death. Mahatma Gandhi is also known throughout the world for his being greatest supporter of non violence and truth, who was also called as Bapu.

India paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 64th death anniversary observed as Martyrs’ Day with floral tributes, devotional songs and an all-religion prayer service on Monday.