Nation pays homage to Mahatma on 137th birth anniversary

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) The nation today paid tributes to its apostle of non-violence and peace, Mahatma Gandhi, in a renewed quest to underscore the relevance of the epitome of truth and love in modern times.

President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi led the country in paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi on his 137th birth anniversary and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 102nd birth anniversary today.

Hundreds of school children, people from all walks of life and politicians visited the memorial to the Father of the Nation at the Rajghat this morning to offer floral tributes.

Among the early visitors were President Kalam, Mr Shekhawat and Ms Gandhi as well as Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The country is also celebrating the 102nd birth anniversary of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri today. Vijay Ghat, the samadhi of the late leader, witnessed a stream of visitors this morning, who paid floral tributes.

In Durban, the much-hyped Satyagrah centenary celebrations were marred yesterday by protests and slogan shouting by Zulu supporters of former South African Vice President Jacob Zuma, much to the embarrasment of President Thabo Mbeki, who was attending the ceremony along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi attended an all-religion prayer meeting at Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi.

Member of Parliament (MP) Priya Dutt took out a peace rally at Juhu in North West Mumbai to create awareness among the masses about Mahatma Gandhi. The march began at 0930 hrs from SNDT college and culminated at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Juhu beach.

Bollywood personalities, freedom fighters, students and several voluntary organisations took part in the peace rally.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad paid glowing tributes to 'Father of the Nation'. In separate messages in Srinagar, they described the Mahatma as the tallest leader of his time who influenced great men across the world.

A large number of Congressmen from across Punjab paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh. The Congress leaders remebered the Father of the Nation as founder of the free India.

Leading Haryana in tributes to the Father of the Nation, Governor A R Kidwai said, ''The best tribute to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi is to propagate his message of higher values of life like truth, non-violence, brotherhood, tolerance, equality and communal harmony.'' MORE UNI TEAM YA BD1847