New Delhi, Oct 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary, and said their lives of simplicity, courage and service to the nation continue to inspire generations.
The prime minister visited Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, and Vijay Ghat, the memorial of Shastri, to pay his respects.
“Paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji at Vijay Ghat. Their lives of simplicity, courage and service to the nation continue to inspire generations,” he said, adding their ideals and unwavering commitment to India’s progress will always remain a guiding light for everyone in the country.
Earlier, the prime minister said Gandhi’s timeless message will keep guiding everyone towards a better society and a developed India.
He said Bapu’s entire life was a beacon of truth, non-violence, compassion, and service that it will continue to guide humanity across every era.
“May Bapu’s timeless message keep guiding us towards a better society and a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Modi said in a post on X.
Through a video message, the prime minister also said that the significance of this day for the nation is known to everyone.
“His ideology has inspired the entire world. Mahatma Gandhi is such a personality that, even though he was far away from power, he continues to remain in the hearts of millions of people,” Modi said.
The prime minister said he believes that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology will continue to guide and inspire humanity in the years to come.
“Mahatma Gandhi always encouraged everyone to adopt ‘Swadeshi’. In this process, Khadi remains a top priority. I appeal to everyone to buy at least one Khadi product on October 2 and proudly say that it is ‘Swadeshi’,” he said.
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar and was assassinated on January 30, 1948, in Delhi.
In a separate message, Modi said Shastri’s simplicity and dedication to the nation remain deeply inspiring.
He said the former prime minister’s dedication to the welfare of the nation was reflected during his short tenure as prime minister, when he gave the ‘mantra’ to soldiers and farmers on how to take the country to greater heights.
“Homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji, whose simplicity and dedication to the nation remain deeply inspiring,” Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
In another video message, the prime minister said Shastri’s character possessed a unique quality – while he appeared gentle and polite on the outside, he possessed an exceptionally strong will within.
“Whenever we remember Lal Bahadur Shastri, our heads bow down in deep respect. His remarkable personality fills everyone’s heart with deep pride,” he said.
Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Uttar Pradesh and passed away on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent.
He served as the prime minister of India from June 9, 1964, to January 11, 1966. (PTI)
