Nation pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi

New Delhi, May 21: The nation paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 16th death anniversary today.

The day was also observed as 'Anti-Terrorism' Day in memory of the Congress leader who was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam human bomb at Sriperumbudur in 1991 during an election campaign.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid floral tributes at the 'Vir Bhumi', the memorial to the late leader.

Several Congress leaders, including Union Ministers Shivraj Patil, A K Antony and Ajay Maken, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and several party leaders were also present at the service.

Youth Congress activists took out a march in the capital to remember the departed leader.

In Lucknow, a large number of Congress activists visited 'Anand Bhawan' the ancestral house of Nehru-Gandhi family and paid homage to the late leader.

The city lawyers organised a talk on 'India in the vision of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister of India Late Rajiv Gandhi' at the High Court Bar Association premises.

In Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, after laying wreath at Rajiv Gandhi's statue at Sadbhavna Chowk, said the former Prime Minister would always be remembered for his role in ushering in information and technology (IT) boom in the country.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi after paying floral tributes to a portrait of Rajiv Gandhi at the Secretariat administered anti-terrorism pledge to his ministerial colleagues and secretariat staff.

He also called upon them to fight against decisive forces and spread peace, harmony and communal amity among all sections of society.

The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee remembered the late Congress leader by distributing fruits and sweets among the patients of MGM hospital.

JPCC general secretary Rajesh Kumar Shukla garlanded his life-size photo at Gokulnagar.

He also called upon the youth to realise Rajiv Gandhi's dream by working selflessly to uplift the weaker sections of society under the guidance of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and PCC President K Keshava Rao garlanded Rajiv Gandhi's portrait at Gandhi Bhavan .

Mr Reddy later flagged off a rally of the Andhra Pradesh Youth Congress and National Students Union of India in this connection.

Mr Rao chose the day to open Rajiv Blood Donors (RBD) Bank.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh distributed free wheelchairs to the handicapped.

In the North-east Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh administered anti-terrorism oath to his cabinet colleagues and employees of the state government at a special function.

UNI

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