Indian Embassy Commemorates 152nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

The Indian embassy in Cairo commemorated the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today, on 2nd October 2021, garlanding the Gandhi bust in Hurriaya Park in Zamalek.

Indian ambassador Ajit Gupte delivered the opening remarks, followed by floral tributes to the ever-shining spirit of the Mahatma.

Eng. Tafida Abdel Aziz from the office of Cairo Governorate represented the Egyptian government and paid her respect to Mahatma Gandhi, who is a widely revered symbol of the anti-colonial movement in Egypt as well. The close association between Mahatma Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul is also fondly remembered here.

Since 2007, the 2nd Oct, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, is celebrated globally as the International Day of Non-violence, and events are organized across the world to kindle the spirit of Gandhian principles.

Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), was an Indian lawyer,anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule and in turn inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, according to Wikipedia.

The honorific Mahātmā first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa, is now used throughout the world.

Born and raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi trained in law at the Inner Temple, London, and was called to the bar at age 22 in June 1891. After two uncertain years in India, where he was unable to start a successful law practice, he moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit.

He went on to live in South Africa for 21 years. It was in South Africa that Gandhi raised a family and first employed nonviolent resistance in a campaign for civil rights. In 1915, aged 45, he returned to India. He set about organizing peasants, farmers, and urban laborers to protest against excessive land tax and discrimination.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and above all for achieving swaraj or self-rule.