Gandhi Jayanti celebrations live updates: Gandhiji once said he would give priority to sanitation over freedom, PM Modi remembers Bapu

Today marks the beginning of the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth.

On the occasion of the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, several events will be organised across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also take part in the programmes related to sanitation and renewable energy. The emphasis will be on the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' mission as the day marks the beginning of the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth.

The Prime Minister attended the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention -- a four-day international conference that has brought together sanitation ministers and other leaders from around the world. At the event, he took a tour of a mini digital exhibition, accompanied by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Commemorative postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi will be launched and a CD based on his favourite hymn 'Vaishnav Jan' will be distributed at the event. The Swachh Bharat Awards will also be distributed on this occasion. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance. 

02 October 2018

12:59 IST

After paying homage at Rajghat in Delhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh visited the Gandhi Ashram Bapu Kuti in Wardha in Maharashtra.

#Maharashtra: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Gandhi Ashram Bapu Kuti in Wardha pic.twitter.com/BGpzYVOn00

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

12:24 IST

PM Modi: Four years ago, 60% of the world's open defecation was in India, today it is less than 20%. In these four years, not only have the toilets been made and villages have become ODF, but more than 90% of toilets are being used regularly also.

12:23 IST

PM Modi: If you are surrounded by dirt and you do not change it, do not clean it, then you start accepting that mess. After some time, such a situation arises that the dirt does not seem to bother him. 

12:20 IST

PM Modi: So many countries coming together for a cleanliness campaign is an unheard of event. I pay tribute to Bapu on everyone's behalf.

12:18 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention.

Addressing the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention. #Gandhi150 https://t.co/ORtPS7AYhu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018

11:55 IST

PM Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an event on Gandhi jayanti at Rashtrapati Bhavan

#WATCH PM Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an exhibition during Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/SFBAWKoPJM

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

11:55 IST

PM Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an event on Gandhi jayanti at Rashtrapati Bhavan

#WATCH PM Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an exhibition during Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/SFBAWKoPJM

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

09:19 IST

PM Modi: While fighting for the freedom of the country, Gandhiji once said that he would give priority to sanitation over freedom and cleanliness. Among the important things that he had mentioned in his 'Constructive Program' published in 1945, rural cleanliness was also an important section

08:54 IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and CM Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to #MahatmaGandhi in Lucknow, today. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/8K9ZsA4h70

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 2, 2018

08:51 IST

Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted: "As we are entering Bapu's 150th birth anniversary year, let us strive to work hard to dedicate a #SwachhBharat to Him, this year!" He had on Monday said that under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Maharashtra has built 60 lakh toilets within three years and the next phase now will be focused on changing the mindset of people to ensure that these toilets were used.

From clean mind to to clean nation ....
Taking inspiration from Bapu's thoughts and vision and walking on the path shown by him is a real tribute to Him !#GandhiJayanti #__________ #Gandhi150#SwachhBharat #HealthyIndia #StrongIndia pic.twitter.com/ZmhM6C46dW

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 2, 2018

08:44 IST

In images coming from across the country, ministers can be seen taking part in cleanliness drive. Chief Minister of Puducherry V Narayanasami even posted a picture of him cleaning drainage on Monday.

Cleaning drainage at #Nellithope #Puducherry . #SwachhataHiSeva #SwachhBharat #SwachhBharatMission pic.twitter.com/rA7nRXFMW2

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) October 1, 2018

08:43 IST

Far away in the US, half a dozen influential US lawmakers, including four Indian Americans, moved a resolution in the US House of Representatives to posthumously award the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of his promotion of peace and non-violence. Introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York on September 23, the resolution (H R 6916) is co-sponsored by four Indian American lawmakers in the House Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.

08:36 IST

President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday. In his message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, the President had said that Mahatma Gandhi will be the guiding light in India's pursuit to eradicate poverty and achieve rapid social and economic progress. He added that it would be "only befitting" to celebrate this year's Jayanti with welfare programmes pertinent to the life and work of Gandhi.

Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Rajghat. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/4sO6ml1Htf

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

08:35 IST

Both Rahul and Sonia left immediately after paying homage at the Rajghat as they are slated to travel to Wardha for the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

Sonia Gandhi pays tribute at Rajghat on the 150th birth anniversary of #MahatmaGandhi. pic.twitter.com/IXXw1PYDwo

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

08:34 IST

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The Congress chief was among the first of the senior leaders to pay homage to Gandhi at his iconic memorial on Tuesday morning. 

Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute at Rajghat on #MahatmaGandhi 150th birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/8JsCqcSE8B

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

08:33 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rajghat and paid homage to the Father of the Nation. He will be taking part in several events to celebrate the 14th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Rajghat. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/MXeM7hXhpc

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018