PM Modi joins Gandhi Jayanti prayer meet at Gandhi Smriti
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Gandhi Jayanti prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi on 2 October 2026, honouring Mahatma Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary and interacting with young visitors at the historic memorial.
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi on 2 October 2026 .
The occasion marks Gandhi Jayanti , the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi Smriti stands at the site where Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 .
The day is also observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence , designated by the UN in 2007 .
PM Modi highlighted an interaction with young visitors as the 'key highlight' of the event.
On the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi on Friday, 2 October 2026, recalling the enduring message of the Father of the Nation — and taking a moment to connect with children gathered at the site.
A pilgrimage to the place where Gandhi fell
Gandhi Smriti, located at 5 Tees January Marg in New Delhi, is the museum and memorial built at the site formerly known as Birla House — the very spot where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948. The compound holds the 'Martyr's Column' that marks where he fell, and the prayer ground where he held his last public prayers. For Indian leaders, a visit here on Gandhi Jayanti is among the most resonant acts of remembrance on the national calendar.
Prime Minister Modi wrote that attendees 'recalled the timeless message of Bapu' — Gandhi's principles of non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), and simple living that continue to frame India's civic and moral vocabulary more than seven decades after independence.
The moment that stood out: young voices at the memorial
The Prime Minister singled out one detail above all else: 'A key highlight was the interaction with my young friends.' The four images attached to his post — shared across his official social media — captured those exchanges, underscoring a recurring theme in his public engagements of presenting Gandhi's legacy as a living conversation rather than a museum exhibit.
Gandhi Jayanti is observed as a national holiday across India and is also marked internationally as the International Day of Non-Violence, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. The dual observance gives the day an outward-facing dimension that goes well beyond domestic commemoration.
Point of View
Appearances at Gandhi Smriti on Gandhi Jayanti serve a dual purpose: fulfilling an unbroken constitutional ritual and projecting a cross-ideological claim to Gandhi's moral authority that cuts across the BJP's otherwise distinct political identity. Highlighting the interaction with children subtly frames the occasion as legacy-transfer rather than mere commemoration, positioning the next generation as custodians of Gandhian values. On a day that carries simultaneous domestic and international resonance — as the UN's International Day of Non-Violence — such optics carry diplomatic weight that extends well beyond the memorial's gates.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gandhi Smriti located?
Gandhi Smriti is located at 5 Tees January Marg in New Delhi . It is the site of the former Birla House, where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 , and now functions as a national memorial and museum.
Why is 2 October celebrated in India?
2 October is celebrated in India as Gandhi Jayanti , the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi , the Father of the Nation. It is a national holiday. The United Nations also observes the date as the International Day of Non-Violence .
What did PM Modi do on Gandhi Jayanti 2026?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi on 2 October 2026 , recalled the message of Mahatma Gandhi, and interacted with young visitors at the memorial.
What is the International Day of Non-Violence?
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October every year, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 , to coincide with Gandhi's birthday and spread the message of non-violence globally.
What is the significance of Gandhi Smriti for Indian leaders?
Gandhi Smriti holds deep national significance as the exact location where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last days of his life and was assassinated. A visit by Indian leaders on Gandhi Jayanti is one of the most important acts of remembrance on India's national calendar.
