Senate Resolution No. 641

BY: Senator THOMAS

CELEBRATING Gandhi Jayanti, the day of Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi's birth, on October 2, 2023

WHEREAS, The true architects of society and community are those
extraordinary individuals whose faith and unremitting commitment have
served to sustain the spiritual and cultural values of life; Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi, a civil rights leader who inspired freedom across the
world, was undoubtedly such an individual; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate Gandhi
Jayanti, the day of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's birth, on Monday,
October 2, 2023; and

WHEREAS, One of three nationally celebrated holidays in India,
Gandhi Jayanti marks the birth of the enormously influential life and
work of Mohandas Gandhi on India's history and culture; and

WHEREAS, Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes
all over India, including at Gandhi's memorial Raj Ghat in New Delhi
where he was cremated; popular celebratory activities include prayer
meetings and commemorative ceremonies by colleges, local government
institutions and socio-political organizations; and

WHEREAS, The year 2019 marked the 150th Anniversary of the birth of
Mohandas Gandhi, which was celebrated by the minting of "150" currency
in his honor, paintings of his face on vehicles, and the commissioning
of an art exhibition titled "Picture Postcards of Gandhi"; and

WHEREAS, Gandhi Jayanti is also celebrated by the United Nations,
which in a 2007 resolution marked October 2nd as the International Day
of Non-Violence; and

WHEREAS, Born on October 2, 1869, Mohandas Gandhi was an Indian
lawyer, politician, writer and social activist who helped lead the
Indian independence movement; he is internationally esteemed for his
doctrine of nonviolent protest, satyagraha, which he used to achieve
political and social progress; and

WHEREAS, Within India, Mohandas Gandhi's philosophy lived on in the
messages of reformers such as Vinoba Bhave; abroad, Martin Luther King,
Jr., borrowed heavily from Gandhi's practice of nonviolence and civil
disobedience to achieve social equality; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, and perhaps most impactful of all, the freedom
of which Mohandas Gandhi's movement won for India inspired similar
movements in Asia and Africa; and

WHEREAS, Mohandas Gandhi died on January 30, 1948; even many decades
after his death, his legacy continues in countless ways as organizations
and institutions across the globe host numerous festivals and
celebrations in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his purposeful journey of life, Mohandas Gandhi
compiled, with dignity and kindness, decades filled with gracious
literary works, moral causes, and humanitarian efforts, justly earning
the devotion of his followers and the admiration and respect of his
fellow man; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the day of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's birth,
on October 2, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.