The nation on Thursday observed the 72nd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Diwas. Every year India pays tribute to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948.
On Thursday, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria paid tribute and laid wreaths decorated with multi-colour flowers to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in the national capital.
Martyrs’ Day is also observed on January 30 to salute the martyrdom of soldiers who lost their lives defending the nation. A two-minute silence in memory of the martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 am. The armed forces personnel blow bugles sounding the Last Post and the inter-services contingent reverse arms as a mark of respect.