Prez Kovind, PM Modi pay tributes to Gandhi, Shahstri on their birth anniversaries

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on his 149th birth anniversary, urging the people to rededicate themselves to the values espoused by the leader and fulfil his dreams.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also paid homage to the father of the nation at his iconic memorial here amid the strains of 'bhajans'.

Kovind and Modi also greeted people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and urged people to imbibe the values he stood for.

"Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti. Let us rededicate ourselves to the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi - peace, fraternity, harmony and inclusive national development. Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light," the President tweeted.

Modi also took to Twitter to extol the virtues of Gandhi, who led the nation to freedom, riding a path of non-violence.

"The noble thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have given strength to millions across the world. He was a stalwart who lived for others and to make our world a better place. Paid tributes to Bapu at Rajghat this morning. #Gandhi150," he said and shared pictures of Rajghat.

The birth anniversary of Gandhiji is a wonderful opportunity to come together and fulfill his dreams, the prime minister said.

The government has planned grand celebrations to mark 150th year of Gandhi's anniversary which would culminate on October 2, 2019.

The Congress chief was among the first of the senior leaders to pay homage to Gandhi at his solemn memorial this morning which was bedecked with flowers.

Both Rahul and Sonia left immediately as they were to travel to Wardha for the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meet.

The president, the vice president and the prime minister also visited Vijay Ghat Tuesday morning to pay tributes to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.

"Remembering our former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji on his birth anniversary. His integrity, wartime leadership and role in the shaping of the Green Revolution remains an inspiration for the entire country #PresidentKovind," Kovind tweeted.

Modi also paid homage at the Vijay Ghat and tweeted, "Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji epitomised strength and simplicity. He led India at a crucial time and worked hard to make our nation more prosperous."