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The nation on Saturday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 141st birth anniversary President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other leaders offered floral tributes at his memorial Raj Ghat here. A special function will take place at Gandhi Smriti this afternoon, which will include a recital of some of Gandhi's favourite devotional songs. The Union Government has planned a series of other programmes for the occasion. The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, popularly known as the 'Father of the Nation', is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 with reverence all over the country. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as 'Bapu', or Gandhiji, was born on the October 2 1869, in Porbander, Gujarat . Gandhiji was a preacher of truth (Satyagraha) and 'ahimsa' (non-violence). He started the 'Satyagraha' movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He believed in living a simple life and in 'Swadeshi'. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence - a true symbol of peace and truth! The United Nations had declared in 2007 that October 2 would be observed as "International Day of Non-Violence".

Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 141st birth anniversary