#GandhiJayanti: PM Modi will declare India 'Open Defecation-Free'
What's the story
The entire country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, with a number of events being lined up across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the celebrations and is all set to declare India open defecation-free today at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
To recall, he had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014.
Here's more.
Schedule
He paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri
PM Modi has a packed schedule today. He started his day by paying a visit to Rajghat in New Delhi. Rajghat is the resting place of the Mahatma.
He was accompanied by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and BJP working president JP Nadda.
Thereafter, he went to Vijayghat, the resting place of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was also born on October 2.
Twitter Post
Spot visuals: PM Modi remembers India's second PM
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat. #LalBahadurShastriJayanti pic.twitter.com/YoI07Sbwjp
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2019
Video
In a clip, PM Modi spoke about Gandhian principles
This morning, PM Modi also shared a clip on social media to remind everyone of Gandhian principles. Truth and non-violence are still relevant today, as they were earlier, PM Modi said in the video.
He added Mahatma Gandhi lived a life that left a deep impression on everyone and served as a guide too.
"His ideologies teach us how to protect humanity," he added.
Twitter Post
You can watch the video here
राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी को उनकी 150वीं जन्म-जयंती पर शत-शत नमन।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2019
Tributes to beloved Bapu! On #Gandhi150, we express gratitude to Mahatma Gandhi for his everlasting contribution to humanity. We pledge to continue working hard to realise his dreams and create a better planet. pic.twitter.com/4y0HqBO762
Yatra
Separately, BJP has planned a massive Yatra
Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to start Gandhi Sankalp Yatra. Earlier, this event was supposed to be held between October 2 and 31, but the saffron party extended it by three months. It will now end on January 31, 2020.
Reportedly, posters, banners, and kits, to be used for the Yatra will be sent to the state headquarters of BJP.
Do you know?
Amit Shah will launch the event
The Gandhi Sankalp Yatra will be launched by Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. All parliamentarians of BJP have been instructed to remain in their respective constituencies at the beginning of the program.
Congress' plans
Meanwhile, Congress will take out padyatras across India
In fact, Congress has also planned a series of events to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The grand old party will be taking out several padyatras on the tune of "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram". UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will lead one march in New Delhi, and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also expected to join her.
Statement
BJP has done everything contrary to Gandhian teachings: Congress
In an apparent dig at BJP, Congress' KC Venugopal in a press release said some parties took almost 50 years to realize the importance of Mahatma Gandhi.
"The BJP and its government have done everything contrary to the Gandhian teachings and whatever the Mahatma stood for," Venugopal went on.
He also referred to atrocities against SC/STs, joblessness, economic policies to slam BJP.
Quote
Congress will be protesting against "oppressive" government
"Congress Party which has given its life and blood in making this country will be out tomorrow in full force, guided by the Gandhian ideals to take on this oppressive and anti-people Government," the press release read. Sonia will also administer an oath.