Mahatma Gandhi is known in India as "the father of the nation."
Gandhi, using a nonviolent approach, became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. Shortly after India gained independence, Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
His birthday, October 2, is a major national holiday called Gandhi Jayanti, and it is marked with a prayer for peace, ceremonies and events throughout the country.
The United Nations has also declared October 2 as the International Day of Nonviolence to honor Gandhi's message.