Every year, 30 January is observed as Gandhi Nirvan Divas – the day Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was assassinated in 1948.
Not only in India, Gandhi Nirvan Divas is also observed in other parts of the world, especially in the UK where The India League and the High Commission of India mark this day every year at Tavistock Square and Parliament Square in London. The event at Tavistock Square starts with a speech and floral tribute from the Indian High Commissioner, followed by invited dignitaries including the Mayor of Camden borough, MPs, Peers and President of The India League. Gandhiji’s favourite bhajans are sung by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan students.
On January 30, 1948, at 5:17PM Mahatma Gandhi along with his grandnieces, was on his way to the garden of Birla House to address a prayer meeting. This was when Nathuram Godse fired three bullets into his chest from a pistol at close range. Mahatma Gandhi's last words are known to be 'He Ram'. Today, the Birla House site is a memorial called Gandhi Smriti.
Every year, the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and three Service Chiefs gather at the samadhi at Rajghat Memorial, a place near Yamuna River in New Delhi and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
