The se-tennant stamps on the First Day Cover depict aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s life - Peasants' welfare, Social upliftment, Salt satyagraha, Communal harmony.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, was assassinated at the Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi on 30 January 1948. Gandhi was outside on the steps where a prayer meeting was going to take place, surrounded by a part of his family and some followers, when Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist and prominent member of Hindu Mahasabha, approached and shot him three times in the chest at close range. Gandhi was taken back inside the Birla House, where he died.
I remember this day very vividly even today, because My Father came home early from his Office and told us that a very sad thing had happened. Hurriedly the four of us got ready and set off for Birla House. My Mother carrying my two year old Sister and My Father holding my finger as we hurried down the roads leading to Birla House. I was too young to understand fully the enormity of the tragedy, but I was wondering quietly why my parents were crying!
The site of Gandhiji’s assassination was about three or four Kms from our residence. It took us a long time to reach the site as there were thousands like us on the road leading to Birla House hoping to get a glimpse of Mahatma Gandhi as he lay on the ground. When we reached Birla House people sat on the lawns in a disciplined manner, praying for the departed soul and listening to his favourite bhajans.
Whatever the naysayers might say about this diminutive man, but he was and still is THE FATHER OF THE NATION.
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