Pratibha hosts reception for freedom fighters

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil today hosted a reception party for freedom fighters at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

It was a moment of pride for more than 350 freedom fighters who had come from different States, as the President freely mingled with them at the Ashoka Hall. All of them were presented with momentos by Mrs Patil.

In her brief speech, the President recalled the valuable contributions made by them to the freedom struggle of the country and how they were attracted by the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Home Minister Shivraj Patil were present on the occasion.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam and former Prime Minister I K Gujral also attended the reception.

UNI