[Indian Culture] October 2nd: Gandhi Jayanti

Let's explore India's national holiday, Gandhi Jayanti.

-Dry Days, Gujarat’s Prohibition Culture, and the Spirit of Non-Violence- India, with its vast territory and diverse mix of races, religions, and languages, observes different holidays and festivals depending on the state and religious background. A major festival in one state might be a regular working day in another, and celebrations vary widely based on Hindu, Islamic, Sikh, and other religious traditions. However, regardless of region or religion, there are three official National Holidays observed by the entire nation: January 26th (Republic Day), August 15th (Independence Day), and October 2nd, Gandhi Jayanti — the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the figure most instantly associated with India. Today, we will explore why India commemorates October 2nd as a premier national holiday, its historical facts and cultural significance, as well as its surprisingly deep historical connection with Korea. 1. History of Gandhi Jayanti and UN Designation October 2, 1869: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat. Establishment of the 3 National Holidays: Following India's independence in 1947, Gandhi’s birthday became one of the most important national observances, recognized today as one of India's three official national holidays. International Day of Non-Violence: To honor Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared October 2nd as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007. ☞ This day has transcended being a tribute to a single nation's leader to become an international observance where the world reaffirms its commitment to peace, renouncing force and violence. 2. October 2nd: Major Events and Cultural Landscape in India ① Memorial Ceremony at Raj Ghat, New Delhi On Gandhi Jayanti, key government officials, including the President and Prime Minister of India, visit Raj Ghat—the memorial site marking Gandhi’s cremation spot in New Delhi—to lay wreaths and offer a moment of silence. Reflecting Gandhi's emphasis on interfaith harmony, his favorite devotional hymn, "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram," resounds across memorial ceremonies, schools, and public institutions nationwide. ② Dry Day and Gandhi’s Philosophy on Temperance On October 2nd, in accordance with state-level excise laws, most regions in India enforce a "Dry Day," during which liquor stores, bars, and restaurants are prohibited from selling alcohol. Gandhi’s emphasis on temperance was not merely based on religious asceticism. He observed that alcohol devastated the livelihoods of poor working-class families and inflicted suffering on women and children. Furthermore, as the British colonial government derived substantial tax revenue from alcohol sales, temperance served as a form of non-violent economic resistance against colonial finances. Additionally, the traditional disapproval of alcohol in both Hinduism and Islam provided strong societal backing for the temperance movement in India. ③ 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India Mission) Campaign Gandhi famously stressed sanitation, remarking that "cleanliness is next to godliness." On October 2, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi leveraged this principle to launch the nationwide sanitation initiative, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) . Every year on October 2nd, employees of government offices, schools, and private enterprises take to the streets for large-scale cleanup and environmental maintenance activities. 3. 'Satyagraha'—The Core of Gandhi’s Philosophy—and the Pride of Gujarat Gandhi’s non-violent movement was not a passive submission to force, but a proactive power rooted in a firm philosophy called Satyagraha ("holding firm to truth" or "truth-force"). It represents a dynamic strength aimed at persuading opponents and inspiring transformation through moral authority and conscience. Interestingly, while Gandhi prioritized non-violence over violence, he once stated: "Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence." This underscores that his concept of non-violence was far from passive obedience; it was an act of active courage. The people of Gujarat , Gandhi’s home state, take immense pride in this heritage: Preserving a Simple Way of Life: Rather than building heroic, oversized statues or grandiose exhibition halls, Gandhi's birthplace, Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, preserves the modest atmosphere of his original home. Similarly, the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad maintains his personal belongings, including his spinning wheel ( Charkha ), in their authentic state. This aligns with Gandhi’s philosophy of preserving a way of life rather than idolizing a legendary figure. A Year-Round Dry State: Unlike other states that observe Dry Days only on specific holidays, Gujarat maintains a strict, year-round prohibition policy (Dry State) to honor Gandhi’s legacy (with limited exceptions for foreign tourists and permit holders). Business Ethos: Many Gujarati business leaders connect their commercial traditions—seeking mutual benefit through negotiation and compromise—with Gandhi’s values of non-violence and self-reliance ( Swadeshi ). Wearing formal attire made of modest Khadi (hand-spun cloth) at official gatherings is considered a point of great pride. 4. Gandhi’s Handwritten Message to Korea During the Japanese Colonial Era The fact that Gandhi sent a direct message to Korea during the Japanese colonial period carries profound historical weight. On November 26, 1926, upon receiving a letter from the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, Gandhi wrote a handwritten reply from his ashram (a spiritual hermitage and community) addressed to the Korean people. It was published in the Dong-A Ilbo on January 5, 1927: "My only message is that I hope Korea will belong to Korea through strictly true and non-violent means." ▶ Historical Resonance The March 1st Movement and Nehru: Korea’s non-violent March 1st Movement in 1919 deeply moved Indian independence activists. Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, mentioned Korea's March 1st Movement in letters written from prison to his daughter Indira Nehru (later Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who adopted her husband Feroze Gandhi’s surname), expressing deep empathy for a colonized nation's yearning for independence. (Note: Feroze Gandhi's family had no familial relation to Mahatma Gandhi.) The Native Products Promotion Movement: Gandhi’s Swadeshi (self-reliance) movement served as a direct inspiration for Korea’s Mulsan Jangnyeoundong (Korean Native Products Promotion Movement: "Buy Korean products for our livelihood") in the 1920s . Cho Man-sik, who led this movement, was often referred to as the "Gandhi of Korea." Closing Thoughts Today, India preserves Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence while simultaneously operating as a pragmatic global power equipped with strong national defense and nuclear deterrence. This presents a meaningful perspective for the contemporary international community: building robust self-reliance and deterrence, yet prioritizing dialogue and persuasion over the use of force. Gandhi's philosophy remains a vital concept today, demonstrating that the ideals of non-violence and pragmatic security are not mutually exclusive. If you have an upcoming business trip to India or meetings with local partners in early October, keeping the October 2nd Dry Day regulations in mind and bringing up light conversation about "Gandhi Jayanti and Gujarat’s spirit of self-reliance and negotiation" can be a wonderful way to foster deep cultural empathy beyond a simple business transaction. Brunch Story Link