30th January Martyrs’ Day
By Dr Arvind Kumar
30th January is observed each year as Martyrs’ day to pay homage to the martyrs who suffered and died for the freedom, welfare, and progress of the country. It was on 30 January 1948 that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated a little before the sunset when he was going to attend his evening prayers and since then every year the Nation pays homage to the Mahatma and other martyrs on this day. On this day, the important political leaders and dignitaries gather at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and lay wreaths on the Samadhi decorated with multi-colour flowers. The armed forces personnel blow the bugles sounding the Last Post. A two-minute silence in memory of the Father of the Nation and other martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 a.m. At Rajghat, in front of the Samadhi of Gandhiji, all-religion prayers are held and bhajans dear to him sung.
This day reminds us the sacrifices made by the martyrs at the altar of freedom to make India free from colonial yoke so that the people can live in freedom, elect their own choice of government and work for the solidarity, prosperity and development of the nation. Our martyrs cherished certain ideals for which they waged relentless struggle and it is our bounden duty to work towards realization of those cherished ideals and make our lives sublime.
