SSC
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on 9 January 1915, a day now observed as:
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Answer: Option D — Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Detailed Solution
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on 9 January 1915, arriving at the Apollo Bunder in Bombay; this day is now observed as "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas" (Non-Resident Indian Day).
About Gandhi's return:
- He had lived in South Africa for about 21 years (1893-1914), where he fought for the rights of Indians against racial discrimination.
- There, he developed his technique of satyagraha (non-violent resistance).
- By the time he returned, he was already well known in India for his work in South Africa.
- On the advice of his political guru, he spent his first year in India travelling across the country, to understand its people and problems, before taking part in politics.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:
It was first celebrated in 2003, on the recommendation of a committee headed by L. M. Singhvi on the Indian diaspora.
It is celebrated to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.
Since 2015, it has been held once every two years, with theme-based conferences in between.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is given to distinguished overseas Indians.
Other days connected with Gandhi:
- 2 October: Gandhi's birthday, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and as the International Day of Non-Violence (United Nations).
- 30 January: the day of Gandhi's assassination (1948), observed as Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas).
Other important days:
- 12 January: National Youth Day (birthday of Swami Vivekananda).
- 31 October: National Unity Day (birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel).
Why not the other options?
- ✗National Youth Day, Martyrs' Day and National Unity Day are observed on other dates.
Quick tip
Remember: Gandhi returned from South Africa on 9 January 1915 = Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (first celebrated 2003); 30 January = Martyrs' Day; 2 October = International Day of Non-Violence.
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Important Days & Dates — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Important Days & Dates, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers national and international days observed through the year, such as National Youth Day, World Environment Day and International Yoga Day, along with the themes announced for them and the events or people they commemorate. Questions ask for the date of a day, the day observed on a given date, or the person it honours (for example, National Sports Day on 29 August marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand). Revise days month by month in a calendar format. Themes change every year, so learn the current year's themes from current affairs. Practise the important days questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.