Home Minister Amit Shah paid his obeisance to Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary today. In a social media post, Mr Shah said that Gandhi did not consider Swaraj merely as the goal of freedom, but as the foundation of self-respect and self-reliance.

He added that with the belief that no nation can become great without being connected to its roots, Mahatma Gandhi established Swadeshi, one’s own language, one’s own culture, and cleanliness as the fundamental philosophy of Indian society.

Mr Shah said he taught all through his life that when there is devotion in action and purity in thoughts, no goal is impossible.

The Home Minister also offered salutations to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary. Mr Shah noted that Shastri elevated the nation’s food providers and border guardians to symbols of the country’s strength and pride with the proclamation of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.

He added that the former Prime Minister’s resolute leadership in challenging circumstances and the bold decisions taken in the interest of the nation are etched in golden letters in India’s history.

Further, the Home Minister underlined that the ideas of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who made simplicity a tradition, duty a spiritual practice, and national service the very essence of life, will forever guide the people of this country.