Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti 2018 LIVE UPDATES: India pays homage to Bapu; PM Modi lauds role of people for making the Swachh Bharat Mission a success

Gandhi Jayanti 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary today at Rajghat.

Gandhi Jayanti 2018 Live Updates: PM Modi addresses at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention. (ANI)

Gandhi Jayanti 2018 Live Updates: India is paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi — the Father of Nation on his 150th birth anniversary today. The entire nation is celebrating Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. There are number of events have been planned for today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on Tuesday and will visit Rajghat in the national capital. He is also attend programmes related to sanitation and renewable energy. While the central government has planned for year-long celebrations to mark the big occasion. Congress, on the other hand, has also chosen the occasion to hold the party’s Working Committee (CWC) meeting at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sevagram Ashram at Wardha in Maharashtra. The day will mark the launch of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Mahatma. At the Rashtrapati Bhavan cultural centre, the Prime Minister will attend the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention -- a four-day international conference that has brought together sanitation ministers and other leaders from around the world. Modi will visit a mini digital exhibition at the event, accompanied by the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres. The dignitaries will launch commemorative postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi and a CD based on his favourite hymn 'Vaishnav Jan'. The Swachh Bharat Awards will be distributed on this occasion. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.

Gandhi Jayanti 2018 celebrations LIVE updates

2: 25 pm: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami Tuesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 149th birth anniversary. 2: 05 pm: Shah Rukh Khan's message on Swachh Bharat.

On #SwachhBharatDiwas bollywood actor @iamsrk has a message.
Watch out⬇️#SwachhBharat pic.twitter.com/izT76zhoPW

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 2, 2018

2: 05 pm: Not only in India, but people across the world are celebrating Gandhi Jayanti. On the birth anniversary of Babu and under the ' Swachata he Sewa' drive, officers and staff of Indian Consulate in Dubai offer Shramdaan.

On the birth anniversary of #MahatamaGandhi and under the ' Swachata he Sewa' drive, officers and staff of Indian Consulate in Dubai offer Shramdaan pic.twitter.com/nG6qltd6ck

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) October 2, 2018

12: 45 pm: PM modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi as the world celebrates his 150th birth anniversary. Watch video-

PM @narendramodi pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi as world celebrates his 150th birth anniversary #SwachhBharatDiwas pic.twitter.com/8jQp0KPPwf

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) October 2, 2018

12: 43 pm: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Gandhi Ashram Bapu Kuti in Wardha in Maharashtra. 12: 40 pm: To make the world clean 4 Ps are necessary, Political leadership,Public funding,Partnerships and People’s participation: PM Modi at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention: PM Modi 12: 30 pm: PM Modi is addressing at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention. "So many countries coming together for a cleanliness campaign is an unheard of event. I pay tribute to Bapu on everyone's behalf," PM said. 10: 40 am: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

#WATCH PM Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an exhibition during Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/SFBAWKoPJM

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

10: 35 am: PM also shared the pictures of him paying tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri. Take a look.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji epitomised strength and simplicity. He led India at a crucial time and worked hard to make our nation more prosperous.

Today, on his Jayanti I paid tributes to Shastri Ji at Vijay Ghat. pic.twitter.com/oTie1KJ370 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018

10: 30 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and shared the photos from Rajghat where he paid tributes to Bapu this morning.

The noble thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have given strength to millions across the world. He was a stalwart who lived for others and to make our world a better place.

Paid tributes to Bapu at Rajghat this morning. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/Ot3kBDVLiv — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018

10: 14 am: On Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a Shramdan was organised by Embassy of India in Kathmandu. Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri and a large number of officials actively participated in the drive.

On Birth Anniversary of #MahatmaGandhi a Shramdan was organised by Embassy of India in #Kathmandu. Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri and a large number of officials actively participated in the drive pic.twitter.com/8NMzrVAB5L

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) October 2, 2018

9: 50 am: Watch - 9: 45 am: ALSO READ| Gandhi Jayanti 2018: Greetings, SMS, wishes, WhatsApp status, quotes and Facebook posts to remember Father of Nation 9: 40 am: I & B Ministry is organising exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi at Palika Bazar, Delhi today to commemorate his birth anniversary. Six-day multi-media exhibition will be inaugurated by the Information and Broadcasting Minister Col Rajvardhan Rathore tomorrow evening. 9: 30 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries 9: 15 am: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He took to Twitter and said the only weapons to save this country from hatred, violence and communalism is Gandhi ji's teachings on truth and non-violence.

राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी जी की जयंती पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन।

गांधी जी की सत्य और अहिंसा की सीख आज दुनिया भर में सबसे ज्यादा प्रासंगिक हैं। समाज में व्याप्त घृणा, हिंसा, साम्प्रदायिकता से इस मुल्क को बचाने का एक मात्र हथियार सत्य और अहिंसा ही है। — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 2, 2018

9: 02 am: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and CM Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Lucknow, today. 8: 52 am: Rahul Gandhi tweets, "Gandhiji is not an immobile statue, he is a living set of ideas and values flowing through India"

Gandhiji is not an immobile statue, he is a living set of ideas and values flowing through India.

Truth and non-violence, which he lived for and was killed for are the foundation of our country. True patriots must protect them. #GandhiJayanti#Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/ltgTBgBhYF — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 2, 2018

8: 40 am:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijayghat on his birth anniversary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to #LalBahadurShastri at Vijayghat on his birth anniversary pic.twitter.com/Fi6pCYI7YW

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

8: 20 am:  Students of Kalyan Railway School in Maharashtra painted a local train for Mahatma Gandhi 's birth anniversary and to create awareness for Swachh Bharat.

Students of Kalyan Railway School painted a local train for #MahatmaGandhi 's birth anniversary and to create awareness for #SwachhBharat #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/vrh898s4pp

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

8: 12 am:  President Ram Nath Kovind, took to Twitter to celebrate Bapu's birthday and also remembered the leadership of the former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti. Let us rededicate ourselves to the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi — peace, fraternity, harmony and inclusive national development. Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2018

Remembering our former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji on his birth anniversary. His integrity, wartime leadership and role in the shaping of the Green Revolution remains an inspiration for the entire country #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2018

8: 00 am:  PM Modi took to Twitter and paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

गांधी जयंती पर राष्ट्रपिता को शत्-शत् नमन।

आज से हम पूज्य बापू के 150वें जयंती वर्ष में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं। उनके सपनों को पूर्ण करने का हम सभी के पास यह एक बहुत बड़ा अवसर है। #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/czFVckwjTd — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018

सौम्य व्यक्तित्व, कुशल नेतृत्व एवं बुलंद हौसले के प्रतीक लाल बहादुर शास्त्री जी को उनकी जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।

जय जवान-जय किसान! pic.twitter.com/eADo2NwZik — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018

7: 57 am:  BJP veteran leader Shri L.K Advani paid tribute at Rajghat on Mahatma Gandhi 150th birth anniversary.

BJP veteran leader Shri L.K Advani pays tribute at Rajghat on #MahatmaGandhi 150th birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/cGJTdTRjcI

— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) October 2, 2018

7: 53 am:  Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi paid tribute at Rajghat on the 150th birth anniversary of Babu. 7: 50 am:  PM will also visit Vijay Ghat to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birth anniversary also falls on October 2. 7: 45 am:  Rahul Gandhi paid homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Delhi's Rajghat.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute at Rajghat on #MahatmaGandhi 150th birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/8JsCqcSE8B

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

7: 40 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rajghat in the national capital today to offer floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Rajghat. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/l2kk3bHeGf

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2018

7: 35 am: On October 2 every year, several programmes, exhibitions are organised across the country and worldwide highlighting Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, principle and believe in non-violence. The United Nations observes the day as the International Day of Non-Violence. 7: 30 am: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar of Gujarat. To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, India is celebrating Gandhi Jayanti today. In his message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said Mahatma Gandhi will be the guiding light in India's pursuit to eradicate poverty and achieve rapid social and economic progress. He said it would be "only befitting" to celebrate this year's Jayanti with welfare programmes pertinent to the life and work of Gandhi, said a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement. "The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a true tribute to Gandhiji, who espoused cleanliness as an essential element of healthy living," Kovind said.