Martyr's Day

If I am to die by the bullet of a mad man, I must do so smiling.

There must be no anger within me. God must be in my heart and on my lips.

      – Mohandas K. Gandhi, 28 January 1948, two days prior to his assassination.

‘Hey Ram’… with this final phrase, as it is said, the man of the millennium, the effigy of truth and non violence, a frail figure wrapped in white cotton sheet, our beloved Bapu closed his eyes to amalgamate his divine soul with the celestial power.

It was on 30 January 1948, Friday nearly 5:17 PM; when the sun was about to set and Gandhi ji was going to attend his evening prayers. A multitude of Gandhi’s followers attended the prayer mass. It was when Gandhi ji was ascending towards the platform; the assassinator of humanity Nathuram Godse; a Hindu extremist bowed in front Gandhi and shot three bullets on him from a close range. The darkest moment of Independent India took away the light house of the Indian sailors. Though Nathuram and his companions found their goal achieved but the entire nation was filled with grief. All eyes were wet and the nation was lamenting. The anguish even weakened the pillars of the nation and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on this loss said-

"Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me, but for millions and millions in this country."

Gandhi is not mere a name of someone who unchained India from the shackles of British rule; but is a soul who had power to mesmerize millions and incredible nerves to stand for truth at any cost. He was a pioneer of the new principles where man had respect for another man no matter what caste or creed they belong to. Where dignity of labour glittered as Gandhi believed one should not be dependent on others for their work rather should do it by their own. There are several things apart from active and optimistic participation in India’s freedom struggle that made Gandhi a distinguished figure. The world respects him and follows his ideology as his very remembrance gives every individual the strength to lead a simple and truthful life.

January 30, 1948 was declared as the Martyrs’ Day. Since then every year the Nation pays homage to the Mahatma and other martyrs on this day. The day is observed with floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi at Rajghat by President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and others.

64 years back we lost a light but still it illuminates our soul. We should pay homage to him and other martyrs by following the virtues and make India a nation which these great people had dreamt of.

Richa Tiwari 
Student
B.A in Media Studies
University of  Allahabad