Last Updated: October 2, 2026
Today in History – October 2 holds monumental significance in both Indian and world history. Markedly recognized as the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, this day is celebrated globally as the International Day of Non-Violence. This article presents a meticulously verified breakdown of major historical milestones, births, demises, and observances occurring on October 2.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on October 2
- Famous personalities born on October 2
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of October 2
- Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (1869): Birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation of India, Mahatma Gandhi, born in Porbandar, Gujarat.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti (1904): Birth anniversary of India’s second Prime Minister who coined the iconic slogan “Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan” (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer).
- International Day of Non-Violence: United Nations declared October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence to honor Mahatma Gandhi.
- Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (2014): Nationwide cleanliness drive launched by the Government of India.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on October 2
1535 – Jacques Cartier Reaches Hochelaga
French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed down the St. Lawrence River and reached the Iroquoian village of Hochelaga (present-day Montreal). He named the adjacent mountain ‘Mount Royal’, from which the city of Montreal later derived its name.
1844 – Launch of ‘The Crescent’ Newspaper
Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty, a prominent merchant and freedom fighter, launched ‘The Crescent’ in Madras. It was the first Indian-owned newspaper in the Madras Presidency established to advocate for the rights of native Indians during British rule.
1955 – Inauguration of Integral Coach Factory (ICF)
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Today, ICF is the world’s largest manufacturer of railway passenger coaches.
1961 – Establishment of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)
The Shipping Corporation of India was formed by merging Eastern Shipping Corporation and Western Shipping Corporation, headquartered in Mumbai. It revolutionized India’s maritime shipping and logistics network.
1966 – Formation of South Central Railway (SCR)
South Central Railway, the 9th zone of Indian Railways, was carved out with its headquarters at Secunderabad to optimize rail transport infrastructure in Southern and Central India. It became a key railway zone serving Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
1971 – Dedication of Gandhi Sadan
President V.V. Giri dedicated Birla House in New Delhi (the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination) to the nation as a national memorial, renaming it ‘Gandhi Sadan’, later becoming known as ‘Gandhi Smriti’.
1972 – First TV Station in Bombay
India’s second television center under Doordarshan was commissioned in Bombay (now Mumbai), marking a major expansion of television broadcasting in Western India.
1985 – Dowry Prohibition Amendment Act Comes into Force
The Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 1984, came into effect across India, introducing stricter penalties to combat dowry harassment and violence.
2014 – Launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide cleanliness campaign ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ at Rajghat, New Delhi, targeting an Open Defecation Free (ODF) India.
Other Major Events
- 2006: South Africa extended its formal support to India regarding nuclear fuel supply at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
- 2012: TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu launched his 208-day ‘Vastunna Meekosam’ walkathon from Hindupur in Anantapur district.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on October 2
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1852 | Sir William Ramsay | Scottish chemist, Nobel laureate who discovered noble gases including argon, helium, neon, krypton and xenon |
| 1869 | Mahatma Gandhi | Father of the Indian Nation; Leader of Indian Independence Movement, Pioneer of Ahimsa |
| 1900 | Leela Roy | Indian freedom fighter, social reformer, close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose |
| 1904 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | 2nd Prime Minister of India, coined the patriotic slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” |
| 1924 | Tapan Sinha | Acclaimed Indian film director, Dadasaheb Phalke awardee |
| 1942 | Asha Parekh | Veteran Hindi actress, Dadasaheb Phalke awardee |
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on October 2
- 1906 – Raja Ravi Varma: Father of Modern Indian Art, famous for his oil paintings depicting Indian epics and deities.
- 1961 – Srirangam Narayanababu: Progressive Telugu poet, author of ‘Rudhira Jyoti’.
- 1975 – K. Kamaraj: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Indian National Congress stalwarts, Bharat Ratna recipient.
- 1982 – C.D. Deshmukh: First Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and former Union Finance Minister.
📢 National & International Days Observed on October 2
- International Day of Non-Violence: Declared by the United Nations in 2007 to promote peace, tolerance, and non-violent conflict resolution worldwide. Commemorates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- World Day for Farmed Animals: Established in 1983 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM). To raise awareness about the welfare of farmed animals and combat animal cruelty.
💡Did You Know?
- Rabindranath Tagore bestowed the title ‘Mahatma’ upon Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1915.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan “Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan” during the 1965 Indo-Pak War to encourage soldiers and farmers.
- The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is the world’s single largest manufacturer of railway passenger coaches.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What international day is observed on October 2?
Ans: The UN observes October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence in honor of Mahatma Gandhi.
Q2: Who coined the slogan “Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan”?
Ans: Lal Bahadur Shastri, the 2nd Prime Minister of India.
Q3: When was the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched?
Ans: On October 2, 2014, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Q4: Who was the first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
Ans: Sir Chintaman Dwarkanath (C.D.) Deshmukh.
Q5: What was the first Indian-owned newspaper in the Madras Presidency?
Ans: ‘The Crescent’, founded by Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty on October 2, 1844.
Q6: Where is the headquarters of South Central Railway located?
Ans: Secunderabad (established on October 2, 1966).
Q7: Who is known as the Father of Modern Indian Painting?
Ans: Raja Ravi Varma (died on October 2, 1906).
