NEW DELHI — Marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and students for a solemn all-faith prayer gathering at Gandhi Smriti on Friday.
The event, held at the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in the national capital, was also attended by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. The gathering featured multi-faith recitations and devotional music dedicated to honoring the ideals of the Father of the Nation.
Student Engagement and Multi-Faith Prayers
A central feature of the memorial event was a musical tribute by local school students, who performed the traditional devotional hymn “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” accompanied by classical musical instruments.
Following the prayer service, Prime Minister Modi spent time interacting directly with the young performers:
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Youth Interaction: The Prime Minister conversed with the students, inquiring about their musical performance, blessing several children, and sharing lighthearted moments.
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Community Engagement: Modi greeted religious leaders representing diverse faiths who participated in the interfaith prayer service.
“Joined the prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti. We recalled the timeless message of Bapu. A key highlight was the interaction with my young friends,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared in a post on X.
Historical Context
Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi led India’s non-violent independence struggle against British colonial rule before his assassination at Gandhi Smriti (then Birla House) on January 30, 1948.
The annual prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti remains a cornerstone of official national commemorations on Gandhi Jayanti, emphasizing peace, interfaith harmony, and community service.
