New Delhi, October 2: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi; Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla; Union Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh; Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda; Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju; Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge; Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi; Shri Nitin Nabin, MP; Members of Parliament, former Members, and other dignitaries paid floral tributes at the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, on the occasion of their birth anniversaries, in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan today.
Secretary-General of Lok Sabha Shri Utpal Kumar Singh and Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha Shri P.C. Mody also paid floral tributes on the occasion.
राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी जी की जयंती पर उनके समाधि स्थल राजघाट पहुँचकर सादर श्रद्धासुमन अर्पित किए। सत्य, अहिंसा और मानवता के प्रति उनका जीवन-संदेश कालजयी है, जो आने वाली पीढ़ियों को सदैव प्रेरणा देता रहेगा।
#GandhiJayanti2026 https://t.co/DDXQy37up4
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) October 2, 2026
On this occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, addressing students from different parts of the country in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan as part of the ‘Know Your Leader’ Programme, called upon the youth to draw inspiration from the lives, ideals, and public service of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, and to contribute with determination, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility toward building a developed India.
Welcoming the young participants, the Speaker said that their presence in the historic Central Hall was an opportunity to connect with India’s democratic and constitutional heritage. Mentioning Mahatma Gandhi, he noted that his life demonstrated the power of truth, morality, non-violence, and Satyagraha. At a time when much of the world was under colonial rule, Mahatma Gandhi showed that a movement based on truth and non-violence could give direction to the struggle for freedom. His ideas and philosophy subsequently inspired movements for freedom and justice across the world. Invoking the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, he urged the youth to study his life and ideas, saying that the more one understands his life and philosophy, the more one gains insight, courage, and a new perspective to face adversity and challenges. He said that Mahatma Gandhi’s life teaches that even through simple means, lasting change can be brought about in the lives and minds of people. Self-reflection, discipline, perseverance, and firmness of purpose were integral to his life and remain relevant for the youth today.
राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी जी और ‘जय जवान, जय किसान’ का अमर मंत्र देने वाले देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री स्व. श्री लाल बहादुर शास्त्री जी की जयंती पर आज संविधान सदन के केंद्रीय कक्ष में ‘Know Your Leader’ कार्यक्रम के तहत देशभर से आए युवा विद्यार्थियों के विचारों को सुना।
मैंने महसूस किया कि आज की पीढ़ी गांधी जी और शास्त्री जी के जीवन दर्शन को आत्मसात कर रही है। सत्य, अहिंसा और सत्याग्रह पर उनके सारगर्भित विचारों को सुनकर बड़ा संतोष हुआ।‘एक भारत – श्रेष्ठ भारत’ की भावना को साकार करते इन नौजवानों को संबोधित करते हुए राष्ट्र के प्रति समर्पण भाव को सर्वोपरि रखने का आह्वान किया।
पूज्य गांधी जी और शास्त्री जी के जीवन में एक समान संदेश स्पष्ट दिखाई देता है – राष्ट्र सबसे पहले। अपने कर्तव्यों को ईमानदारी से निभाना, समाज और देश के प्रति जिम्मेदारी को समझना और अपने प्रत्येक कार्य को राष्ट्रहित से जोड़ना ही उनके प्रति हमारी सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि है। युवा विद्यार्थी इस ऐतिहासिक Central Hall से केवल महान नेताओं की स्मृतियां लेकर न लौटें, बल्कि उनके विचारों और आदर्शों को अपने जीवन का हिस्सा बनाने का संकल्प लेकर जाएं।विकसित भारत केवल एक लक्ष्य नहीं, बल्कि करोड़ों भारतीयों के सामूहिक संकल्प और परिश्रम से पूरा होने वाला सपना है। इस सपने को साकार करने के लिए हर युवा को अपने क्षेत्र में उत्कृष्टता, नवाचार, अनुशासन और राष्ट्रसेवा की भावना के साथ आगे बढ़ना होगा।
आइए, गांधी जी के सत्य, अहिंसा और मानवता के आदर्शों तथा शास्त्री जी की सादगी, कर्तव्यनिष्ठा और राष्ट्रसेवा से प्रेरणा लेकर हम संकल्प लें कि अपने हर प्रयास से भारत को और मजबूत, आत्मनिर्भर, समृद्ध एवं विकसित बनाने में योगदान देंगे।
जय हिंद।#GandhiJayanti2026
#LalBahadurShastriJayanti— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) October 2, 2026
Referring to former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shri Birla highlighted his simplicity, honesty, high ideals, sense of duty, and firmness in decision-making. He recalled Shastriji’s inspiring call of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, which gave direction to the nation during a challenging period and underlined the importance of national and food security. he said that although today’s youth have access to technology, knowledge, and enormous resources, these alone cannot ensure the achievement of one’s goals. Patience, ethical conduct, discipline, determination, and continuity of effort are equally essential. He called upon the youth to remain steadfast in their goals and not allow disappointment, fatigue, or setbacks to weaken their resolve. He stated that social responsibility must remain at the heart of the youth’s journey and that their aim should be not merely personal achievement, but also contributing to the development and progress of the country. He urged them to use their knowledge, energy, and capabilities to help build and lead a new and developed India.
Concluding his address, Shri Birla called upon the participants to carry the message and inspiration of the programme to their schools, communities, and wherever they go. He said that they should leave the historic Constituent Assembly Hall with new inspiration, energy, and confidence, and with a renewed commitment to fulfill their duties and contribute to nation-building.
More than 500 school students from different parts of the country participated in the programme and witnessed the floral tributes paid to Mahatma Gandhi and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri in the historic Constituent Assembly Hall. Thirty-six selected young participants also spoke on the lives, ideals, thoughts, and contributions of the two national leaders, sharing their understanding of how their lives continue to inspire generations in India and across the world.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker also visited Rajghat and Vijay Ghat to pay his respects at the samadhis of Mahatma Gandhi and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively.
