Martyrs' Day: PM Modi, Prez Kovind pay homage to 'Father of the Nation'

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the 'Father of the Nation', Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary.

The President tweeted, “On Martyrs’ Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence #PresidentKovind.”

On Martyrs’ Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 30, 2019

Prime Minister Modi who is on his second visit to Gujarat, also tweeted about his schedule on this day where he will be inaugurating the 'National Salt Satyagraha Memorial' in Dandi in the memory of Mahatama Gandhi.

“Tomorrow, on Bapu’s Punya Tithi, I will be in Dandi, the place from where Bapu challenged the might of colonialism. In Dandi, the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial will be dedicated to the nation. This is a tribute to Satyagrahis led by Gandhi Ji, who worked for India’s freedom,” the PM tweeted.

Tomorrow, on Bapu’s Punya Tithi, I will be in Dandi, the place from where Bapu challenged the might of colonialism.

In Dandi, the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial will be dedicated to the nation. This is a tribute to Satyagrahis led by Gandhi Ji, who worked for India’s freedom. pic.twitter.com/bJ5YgHZlr5

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019

पूज्य बापू को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर शत् शत् नमन।

Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. We reiterate our commitment to follow the path shown by him and abide by the values he stood for.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2019

A 40-metre tall monument is to be built with the statues of Mahatma Gandhi along with 80 of his satyagrahis who led the ‘salt satygraha’ from Ahmedabad to Dandi.

To mark the death of Mahatma Gandhi, January 30 is observed as Martyr’s day. However, India has declared five days as Martyrs' Day also known as Sarvodaya day. The days are named to honour the martyrs of the nation who sacrificed their lives for the interest of the country.

ALSO READ: Ten surprising and least least known facts about Mahatma Gandhi

The five Martyrs' Days are:

January 30: On this day in 1948, Nathuram Godsay fired three bullets at Mahatama Gandhi, taking his life. This day has been declared the National Martyrs' Days by Indian government and a two-minute silence is observed at 11 am. throughout the country.

March 23: Our national heroes and freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru were hanged to death by British government on this day in 1931, in Lahore (Pakistan).

October 21: Police Martyrs' Day also known as Police Commemoration Day, is observed by police departments nationwide. On this date in 1959, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrol at the Indo-Tibetan border in Ladakh was ambushed by Chinese forces as part of the ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute.

November 17: On this day, Odisha remembers the Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, fondly known as the 'Lion of Punjab', on his death anniversary.

November 19: In 1828, a valorous Maratha queen, Rani Lakshmibai was born on this land of braves. The Jhansi state in the memory of their beloved queen celebrates Martyrs' Day and honor those who gave their lives in the 1857 rebellion, which was a lead by her.

ALSO READ: Gujarat: Modi to attend New India Youth conclave on January 30