Tributes paid to Indira on 24th death anniversary

New Delhi, Oct 31 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today led the nation in paying homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 24th death anniversary at her memorial the Shakti Sthal.

The slain leader's family members, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, also placed wreaths and offered their prayers at the memorial.

Union Ministers Shivraj Patil, A K Antony, Delhi Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna were, among several other dignitaries, also present.

A bhajan programme was also held at the memorial on the occasion.

Several Congress workers also participated in it. Later, most of the leaders visited Gandhi's memorial at 7, Safdarjung Road, which was her official residence and participated in the bhajan programme.

Gandhi was one of the most charismatic leaders of modern India whose dynamic ideas and policies left an imprint on Indian politics and also world affairs, especially, the Non-alignment Movement. She was the Prime Minister for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was India's first and to date only woman Prime Minister.

UNI MMG DE SB HS1226