Martyrs’ Day is an annual commemoration of soldiers who died in the line of duty while preserving their country’s sovereignty. However, the exact day may differ from one country to the next.
About Martyr’s Day
Martyrs’ Day which is also known as Shaheed Diwas in India, is celebrated on two days, that are on 30 January and 23 March, to pay homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their Motherland.
This year India is observing the 74th death anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948, at Birla House in New Delhi. Godse, who was a member of Hindu Mahasabha, fired three bullets in Gandhi’s chest as he made his way to a prayer meeting.
Godse was also a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh but his affiliation to the organisation at the time of assassination is contested.
The contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards the nation and its independence is no secret. He was a great freedom fighter who taught the lesson of non-violence and worked on building the unity of the nation which was broken by the British
How is the occasion celebrated this year?
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has installed a grand wall mural of Mahatma Gandhi made of clay Kulhads at the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
The wall mural is made of 2,975 clay Kulhads that have been made by 75 trained potters from across the country, at Ahmedabad
Shah, dedicated Mahatma Gandhi’s Mural to the nation today, in the august presence of Minister of MSME, Narayan Rane, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State for MSME, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Chairman KVIC, Vinai Kumar Saxena and other dignitaries.
Heroes hanged to death
On 23rd March three heroes of our Nation were hanged to death namely Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar by the British.
On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and his companions threw explosives over the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad.” And for this, a murder case was charged against them.
They were executed at the Lahore Jail on March 23, 1931. Their ashes were scattered along the Sutlej River’s banks.
They sacrificed their lives for the welfare of our nation although they have chosen a different path from Mahatma Gandhi. They are a source of inspiration for the new generation of India.
They came forward at such a young age and battled valiantly for freedom. As a result, Martyr’s Day is observed on March 23rd to honour these three revolutionaries.
The three brave sons of Mother India gained immense widespread national support during 116-days hunger strike (in jail) demanding equal rights for Indians from the British.
Sardar Bhagat Singh along with his Sukhdev and Rajguru successfully captured the public imagination like never before, and energised the entire nation.
How is the day celebrated?
The President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, and the Defence Minister get together at the Rajghat to the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi and put down a flower garland at the statue of Father of the Nation’.
The Armed Forces personnel and Inter-services Contingent of the country give an honourable salute to the martyrs.
The inter-services contingent reverse arms as a mark of respect. A two-minute silence in memory of Indian martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 am.
Participants hold all-religion prayers and sing tributes. In India, there are six days declared as Martyrs’ Day (at national level also known as Sarvodaya day).
A two-minute silence is also observed across the nation at 11:00 AM in honour of the bravehearts of India, who sacrificed their lives without a second thought during the freedom struggle.
Martyr’s Day holds great significance in India’s struggle for freedom.
