State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 03 Oct 2025

International Day of Non-Violence

Why in News? 

In India, 2^nd October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, honouring Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. 

• The day is also observed worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence, following a 2007 UN resolution supported by over 140 countries, giving it universal significance. 

Key Facts About Mahatma Gandhi 

• Birth: 2^nd October 1869 in Porbandar (Gujarat). 
• Brief Profile: Lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. 
• Books: Hind Swaraj, My Experiments with Truth (Autobiography) 
• Death: He was shot dead by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948. 
  • 30^th January is observed as Martyrs' Day. 
• Role in India’s Freedom Struggle 
  • Leadership of the Indian National Congress (INC): Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a prominent leader of the INC in the early 20th century, advocating for non-violent resistance and mass mobilisation to challenge British rule. 
    • The Belgaum session in 1924 was the only Congress session that was presided over by Gandhi Ji. 
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) (1920-1922): Gandhi launched the NCM in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the repressive Rowlatt Act.  
    • He urged Indians to boycott British institutions, goods, and honours, leading to widespread participation across the country. 
    • Gandhi Ji was awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind gold medal in 1915 for his service in the Boer War, but returned it in 1920 to protest the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 
  • Salt March (1930): Gandhi led the Salt March to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi, protesting the British salt tax. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. 
  • Quit India Movement (QIM) (1942): Gandhi called for the QIM, demanding an end to British rule in India.  
    • His slogan, "Do or Die," inspired millions to participate in protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience, marking a significant escalation in the freedom struggle. 
  • Philosophy of Non-Violence: Throughout his activism, Gandhi emphasised the principles of Satyagraha (truth force) and Ahimsa (non-violence), advocating for peaceful protests and moral integrity.  
    • His approach not only influenced the Indian independence movement but also inspired civil rights movements worldwide, such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. 

National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Ayush announced the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025, recognising outstanding contributions to Ayurveda by Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher. 

Key Points 

• About the Awards:  
  • Instituted by the Ministry of Ayush. 
  • Among the highest honours in traditional Indian medicine. 
  • Recognises excellence in promotion, preservation, and innovation in Ayurveda. 
  • The 2025 awardees represent three vital dimensions of Ayurveda: scholarship, traditional practice, and scientific innovation. 
• Awardees: 
  • Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur: Scholar and academician with six decades of contribution in Ayurvedic education and Sanskrit literature. 
    • Recipient of Rashtrapati Samman and several other national accolades. 
  • Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T.: Head of Vaidyaratnam Group, Kerala, representing the eighth generation of a 200-year Ayurvedic lineage. 
    • Known for preserving and modernising Ayurveda as a living, community-oriented practice. 
  • Vaidya Bhavana Prasher: Pioneer in Ayurgenomics, bridging Ayurvedic Prakriti concepts with modern genomic science. 
    • Contribution integrated into Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram. 
• Significance: 
  • Recognises continuity and evolution of Ayurveda across classical scholarship, traditional practice, and modern science. 
  • Reinforces Ayurveda’s role in integrated and personalised healthcare. 
  • Strengthens India’s global leadership in traditional medicine and innovation.