Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 October 2026 paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary, invoking the Mahatma's ideals of truth, non-violence, simplicity, and Swadeshi, and calling his message a timeless guide towards a better society and a Viksit Bharat. The tribute came on Gandhi Jayanti, observed annually on 2 October and simultaneously marked globally as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Modi's Message to the Nation

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'May Bapu's timeless message keep guiding us towards a better society and a Viksit Bharat.' In a separate video address, he underlined Gandhi's enduring global relevance, noting that despite remaining distant from the trappings of power throughout his life, Gandhi continues to command the devotion of crores of people across the world.

'The importance of October 2 is well known to every child of our nation. The ideology of Mahatma Gandhi has inspired the entire world,' Modi said. 'Mahatma Gandhi was such a person who remained distant from power, yet today he continues to rule the hearts of crores of people.'

Swadeshi Call and Khadi Appeal

A notable element of Prime Minister Modi's tribute was a direct appeal to citizens to purchase Khadi products on 2 October. 'Gandhi Ji always promoted Swadeshi, and Khadi was one of its most prominent symbols. I would request you all to buy any Khadi product on October 2 and proudly say, "This is Swadeshi,"' he said. The appeal aligns with an ongoing government push to revive Khadi as both an economic tool and a cultural symbol — sales of Khadi and village industry products have recorded consistent growth in recent years under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

Yogi Adityanath Joins the Tributes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid his respects to the Mahatma and extended greetings to the people of the state on the International Day of Non-Violence. In a post on X, Chief Minister Yogi said Gandhi walked the path of truth and non-violence and conveyed the message of freedom to the entire world through indigenous means. He added that Gandhi's ideals, simplicity, and thoughts continue to provide guidance in building a self-reliant and Viksit Bharat.

Significance of Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year on 2 October to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the foremost leaders of India's independence movement. The United Nations designated the same date as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007, in recognition of Gandhi's philosophy as a universal framework for peaceful conflict resolution. This year's observance comes at a moment when themes of non-violence and dialogue carry renewed resonance in global discourse. As the nation reflects on Gandhi's legacy, the push to embed his ideals of self-reliance into contemporary economic policy — through Swadeshi and Khadi promotion — remains a recurring thread in official commemorations.