Martyr's Day was marked with an annual gathering at the iconic Tavistock Square in central London where floral tributes were paid to the Father of the Indian nation and the apostle of peace.
At the same time, the boat that carried Sir Winston Churchill's coffin along the Thames in 1965 repeated the journey to mark the anniversary of his funeral.
Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron laid a wreath in memory of Churchill, who, as prime minister, led Britain to victory in World War II.
"If there is one aspect of this man I admire more than any other - it is Churchill the patriot," he said.
Ironically, Churchill and Gandhi may have been opponents in history over India's future as a free country but will soon also share the same space at Parliament Square in London when a Gandhi statue is launched near Churchill's later this year.