Gandhi Jayanthi 2026

𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐

𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐇𝐈 𝐉𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄: “𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇, 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 – 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃”

Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year on 2 October, commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, born on 2 October 1869. In India, the day is observed as a national holiday. 

The United Nations also observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence, recognising the universal relevance of non-violence and promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence. 

Gandhi's life and public work are closely associated with principles such as truth, non-violence, peaceful action, self-discipline, simplicity, equality and service. The Government of India's Ministry of Culture describes his philosophy of Satyagraha and non-violent resistance as having influenced civil-rights and freedom movements internationally. 

For educational institutions, Gandhi Jayanti can therefore become more than a commemorative programme. It can become an opportunity to help students understand how peaceful choices, truthful communication, empathy, self-discipline and service can be practised in everyday life.

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄

To help students understand the life, values and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi.

To introduce the principles of truth, non-violence, peace, tolerance, equality, simplicity and service.

To encourage students to resolve disagreements through dialogue rather than aggression.

To develop respect for different opinions, cultures, communities and backgrounds.

To transform Gandhi's principles from historical ideas into practical values for everyday life.

To encourage young people to become peace builders, responsible citizens and compassionate community members.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋

𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐇𝐈 𝐉𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄

• Gandhi Jayanti introduction

• Brief life sketch of Mahatma Gandhi

• Importance of 2 October

• International Day of Non-Violence message

• Gandhi's principles of Truth and Non-Violence

• Student speech: “What Gandhi Means to Me”

• Gandhi quotations and reflection

• Short skit on peaceful conflict resolution

• Bhajan / patriotic presentation, where appropriate

• Student pledge on truth and non-violence

• One-minute silence / peace reflection

• “One Peaceful Action Today” student commitment

The programme can focus not only on Gandhi's historical role but also on the question:

“𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄?”

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

• “Gandhi and My Generation” – Essay Competition

• Gandhi Jayanti poster competition

• Slogan-writing competition

• Drawing competition

• Gandhi quotation presentation

• Storytelling: “A Lesson from Gandhi's Life”

• Peace poem writing

• Non-violence speech competition

• Quiz on Gandhi's life and India's freedom movement

• Truth Diary – One Week Activity

• Peaceful Words Challenge

• Kindness in Action Challenge

• Role-play on resolving conflicts peacefully

• Biography reading activity

• Gandhi timeline preparation

• “My One Change” personal commitment activity

𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍

𝟏. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐀 𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐇𝐈 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌

Include:

• Head of Institution

• Teachers

• Student representatives

• Social Science / History teachers

• Language teachers

• Student volunteers

• Eco-club / SDG club members

• NSS / service groups, where applicable

The team can coordinate activities throughout the week surrounding Gandhi Jayanti.

𝟐. 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄

Students can maintain a simple seven-day reflection:

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

Day 1 I will speak truthfully.

Day 2 I will avoid hurtful words.

Day 3 I will listen before responding.

Day 4 I will respect another person's opinion.

Day 5 I will solve one disagreement peacefully.

Day 6 I will perform one act of service.

Day 7 I will encourage peace around me.

The purpose is self-reflection rather than judging others.

𝟑. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 “𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒” 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘

Students identify aggressive or hurtful expressions and replace them with respectful communication.

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅:

“That's your problem.”

𝐓𝐑𝐘:

“Let us find a solution together.”

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅:

“You are wrong.”

𝐓𝐑𝐘:

“I understand it differently. Can we discuss it?”

𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

“𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑.”

𝟒. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐀 “𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐇𝐈 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒” 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑

Display:

• Gandhi's photographs

• Important events from his life

• Timeline of major movements

• Quotes on truth and non-violence

• Satyagraha explanation

• Dandi March information

• Swadeshi and self-reliance

• Stories of service

• Student reflections

• Peace messages

• UN International Day of Non-Violence information

𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

“𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄.”

This widely circulated saying is often associated with Gandhi, but the exact wording is not found as a direct quotation in his writings; for school displays, it is better presented as a popularly attributed Gandhi-inspired message, rather than as a verified direct quotation.

𝟓. 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 – 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐘

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏 – 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

Speak honestly and responsibly.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐 – 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

Avoid violence in words, actions and behaviour.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟑 – 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓

Listen to another person before judging.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟒 – 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘

Reflect on the difference between what we need and what we merely want.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟓 – 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄

Do one useful thing for another person without expecting a reward.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟔 – 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘

Do something that strengthens cooperation in the school or neighbourhood.

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟕 – 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄

Share one message that encourages understanding and harmony.

𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐒

𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐒

• Gandhi and the Philosophy of Non-Violence

• Truth and Ethics in Contemporary Society

• Satyagraha as a Method of Peaceful Action

• Gandhi and India's Freedom Movement

• Gandhian Thought and Sustainable Living

• Youth, Peace and Social Responsibility

• Non-Violence and Conflict Resolution

• Gandhi's Influence on Global Non-Violent Movements

• Simplicity, Self-Reliance and Responsible Consumption

• Education for Peace and Non-Violence

𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

• Gandhi Jayanti seminar

• Peace walk

• Debate on non-violence

• Gandhi biography exhibition

• Documentary screening

• Student research presentations

• Heritage / history exhibition

• Community-service activity

• Peace poster exhibition

• Inter-collegiate essay competition

• Youth dialogue on peace and social responsibility

𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐒

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 • 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 • 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 • 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄

Nursing students can connect Gandhi Jayanti with the values of compassionate care, dignity, empathy, peaceful communication and service.

𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

• Patient dignity awareness

• Compassionate communication session

• Non-violent communication workshop

• Community health awareness

• Elder-care service activity

• Patient-family communication awareness

• Peace and mental well-being awareness

• Service-learning programme

• Community cleanliness activity

• “Care with Compassion” campaign

𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

“𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒.”

𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

Volunteers can organise:

• Peace-awareness campaigns

• Community dialogue programmes

• Gandhi values awareness

• Cleanliness and service activities

• Literacy and education support

• Elder-support activities

• Community harmony programmes

• Youth peace campaigns

• Non-violence awareness drives

• Responsible citizenship activities

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

Create: “𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 • 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍”

Every student or volunteer identifies one practical action that can make the school, family or community more peaceful.

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐆𝐀 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒

1.Gandhi Jayanti Peace Walk

2.Truth and Non-Violence Awareness Rally

3.Gandhi Values Exhibition

4.Gandhi Biography Exhibition

5.Peace and Harmony Seminar

6.Non-Violent Communication Workshop

7.Student Peace Parliament

8.Gandhi Quiz Competition

9.Essay and Poster Competition

10.Community Service Programme

11.Cleanliness and Civic Responsibility Drive

12.Youth Peace Pledge

13.Gandhi Documentary / Film Screening

14.Intergenerational Dialogue on Gandhi's Values

15.“One Peaceful Action” Campaign

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟑 – 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋-𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆

Peaceful environments, respectful relationships and social well-being contribute to healthier communities.

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟒 – 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Education can develop values, dialogue, critical thinking, empathy and responsible citizenship.

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟓 – 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

Students can explore dignity, equality and respect in relationships and society.

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟏𝟎 – 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

Respect, inclusion and peaceful dialogue can help create communities where people are treated with dignity.

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟏𝟔 – 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

This is the strongest SDG connection. SDG 16 promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice and effective, accountable institutions.

𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟏𝟕 – 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒

Schools, colleges, volunteers, families and communities can work together to promote peace and responsible citizenship.

𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒

Participants will:

• Understand the significance of Gandhi Jayanti.

• Learn about Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence.

• Understand the global significance of 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

• Develop peaceful communication skills.

• Learn to approach disagreements through dialogue.

• Develop empathy and respect for others.

• Understand the importance of service and responsible citizenship.

• Connect historical learning with contemporary social challenges.

• Develop awareness of peace, equality and human dignity.

• Become Peace and Non-Violence Ambassadors.

𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 • 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 • 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄

“I will speak the truth and act responsibly.

I will respect the dignity of every person.

I will avoid violence in my words and actions.

I will listen before judging.

I will try to resolve disagreements through dialogue.

I will respect differences.

I will practise kindness, empathy and self-discipline.

I will serve my school and community responsibly.

I will stand for peace, justice and human dignity.

I will make every effort to be a responsible citizen and a peaceful member of society.”**

𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

For programme documentation, maintain:

• Institution name and logo

• Date and venue

• Gandhi Jayanti / International Day of Non-Violence programme title

• Programme objectives

• Number of participants

• Activities conducted

• Student speeches and presentations

• Posters and exhibitions

• Peace / non-violence activities

• Community-service activities, where applicable

• Best photographs

• Short videos, where appropriate

• Student and volunteer participation

• Key outcomes

• Pledge photographs

• Group photograph

𝐍 𝐎 𝐓 𝐄 – 𝐔𝐍 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒–𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄

Institutions may conduct Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence as an SDG-focused educational, peace-building, youth-engagement, values-education and community-awareness programme.

The United Nations specifically identifies 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence and describes it as an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness. 

𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒

1. Conduct the activity in the institution / community.

2. Capture clear photographs and short videos.

3. Prepare a brief report covering objectives, activities, participation and outcomes.

4. Send the documentation through WhatsApp: 𝟵𝟵𝟰𝟰𝟯𝟭𝟯𝟵𝟱𝟯 (WA).

5. Recognition is subject to the applicable programme process and guidelines.

Eligible institutions and participants may receive appropriate appreciation or participation recognition according to the programme guidelines.

𝐀 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐔𝐍 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒–𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍