Yesterday was 2nd October.
It is also known around India as Gandhi Jayanti.
It is also a national holiday, meaning a relief from school and office for many.
Believe me, I know the value of a national holiday.
However even for the people who only value 2nd October, for the off that it gives them, the day is known country wide or perhaps world wide too as just Gandhi Jayanti.
Fun fact, the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri too shares the same birthday as Mahatma Gandhi.
But, surprisingly, we do not see the same amount or even the least bit of enthusiasm to celebrate not one, but two important personalities of our country.
Similarly, even national freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh, had his birthday just go by recently, on September 28th.
For more years than I can remember, October 2nd has just solely been named after Mahatma Gandhi.
And no arguments there, of course we should give the adequate respect and attention to the memory of the man that managed to unite this country.
Gandhi, managed to at last get us started on the path to attain our freedom after almost 200 years of colonisation from the British Empire.
My salute to that man and all that has done for our country and its future generations.
But, on the other hand, to just sort of wipe away the presence of any other person around this time, seems a bit disrespectful.
In all the years that I can recall, the days leading up to 2nd October had been filled with advertisements, flyers and newspapers covers adorning the smiling face of our Bapu.
With that though, there was a very clear absence of any one else.
Shastri was never included in any of these posters or advertisements, not even as a small character.
Bhagat Singh too did not receive any kind of special treatment, except of a movie marathon on either Zee Cinema or any other movie channel, where they would have Bhagat Singh films on loop for the entire day.
However, for the first time this year, Bhagat Singh was given a lot of importance, whereas Gandhiji was not given the same level of attention.
Not to say that I condone the disrespect of either in order to elevate the other, but it does seem to me that for some time now, the nation has been more of the Gandhi’s than anyone else. High time Gandhism of India stopped!
Just because they have had a strong and powerful role in the Indian history, however, doesn’t make them the Indian history.
Signing off, I would just like to say that, perhaps this seems to be a step in the right direction, wherein along with the great Mahatma Gandhi, others who also worked as hard in their respective roles and tried to make a difference are remembered and given the attention they deserve.
Image Credits: Google Images
Other Recommendations:
http://edtimes.in/2016/05/over-400-institutions-are-named-after-the-gandhi-family-is-this-only-a-gandhinehru-nation/
http://edtimes.in/2016/09/rahul-gandhi-and-his-khat-sabha-epic-fail-but-perhaps-a-learning-lesson/
http://edtimes.in/2015/03/striking-sparks-arundhati-roy-on-gandhi-again/
