Gandhi Jayanti 2024: October 2 also holds global significance as the International Day of Non-Violence.
It is the 2nd of October today, and India is celebrating Gandhi Jayanti to honour the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, affectionately known as Bapu, the father of the nation. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the year 1869, this year marks Bapu’s 155th birth anniversary.
Being a very special day of one of the most towering leaders who spearheaded the Indian Independence Movement, schools and universities across India will host various activities and events for both students and teachers to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti 2024.
October 2nd also holds global significance, as it is also the International Day of Non-Violence. On the 15th of June, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the 2nd of October as the International Day of Non-Violence, in recognition of Gandhi’s contributions to resistance through non-violence means. Gandhi earned the title “Father of the Nation” from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, for his pivotal role in India’s fight for independence.
Quotes on Education by Gandhiji
Here are five famous quotes by Mahatma Gandhi on education that every teacher or parent should ensure that their student/child must know:
“Real education has to draw out the best from the boys and girls to be educated“
“By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man-body, mind and spirit“
“Persistent questioning and healthy inquisitiveness are the first requisite for acquiring learning of any kind“
“I hold that true education of the intellect can only come through a proper exercise and training of the bodily organs, e.g., hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, etc. In other words, an intelligent use of the bodily organs in a child provide the best and quickest way of developing his intellect“
“An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other, is a misnomer“.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophy on Education
The following are Gandhiji’s views on education:
- From 7 to 14 years of age, education of each child should be free, compulsory and universal.
- The medium of instruction should be in the mother-tongue of the child.
- Mere literacy cannot be equated with education.
- Education should employ some craft as a medium of education, so that the child gains economic self-reliance for his or her life.
- Education should develop human values in the child.
- Education should create useful, responsible and dynamic citizens.
- Through education, all the hidden powers of child should develop according to the community which he/she is an integral part.
- Education should achieve the harmonious development of child’s body, mind, heart and soul.
- All education should be imparted through some productive craft or industry, and a useful correlation should be established between the child and that industry. It should be such that the child is able to achieve gainful work experience in the industry through practical work.
- Education should be made self-supporting through some productive work.
- Education should lead to economic independence and self-reliance for livelihood.
According to Gandhi, education of children in the right manner was of utmost importance, as it sows the seeds of love, respect and humanity in them. This he believed, would in turn enable them to become good human beings as they grow up, and remain good human beings across their adulthood.
Gandhi was a strong advocate for a kind of education in children that induces a spirit of service, which helps build character. One of his striking views, was that he felt children do not need the assistance of books so much as they need the assistance of well qualified and trained teachers.
A good teacher should gently coax and teach children habits that inculcate discipline in them. Children should be educated in a way to also inculcate the sense of morality, become self-reliant, and make them enjoy and appreciate freedom.
According to him, the education of children should comprise physical, mental and spiritual aspects, which would together compensate the deficiencies that exist in the education system.