The nation today remembered former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 72nd birth anniversary with President Pranab Mukherjee and other leaders paying tributes to him at his memorial even as Congress President Sonia Gandhi kept away due to health reasons.
While Sonia's son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes at Vir Bhumi, the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi, daughter Priyanka and her husband Robert Vadra also skipped the prayer meeting.
"Remembering Rajivji today. His vision, his values & his deep commitment to the people remain our inspiration," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
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Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Ajay Maken, senior party leaders Anand Sharma, Motilal Vohra and Bhupinder Singh Hooda were among those who paid homage at the samadhi.
Sonia Gandhi was yesterday discharged from the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here after successfully undergoing a minor procedure.
Rajiv Gandhi, who heralded the information and communication technology revolution in the country, was born on August 20, 1944 and served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989.
He was assassinated by the LTTE on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during election campaign.
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To mark the anniversary, Rahul Gandhi gave away 100
customised two-wheelers to persons with disabilities
Rahul Gandhi handed over the key of vehicles to each of the 100 people, almost all of whom were in their 20s and 30s, and enquired about their well-being and future plans as organisers recalled his father's vision to help persons with disabilities become self-dependent.
During his interaction, he congratulated many of them on their impressive educational qualifications and applauded the courage of many others on their hard work despite their physically challenges.
Every year Rajiv Gandhi Foundation felicitates persons with disabilities as part of the Rajiv Gandhi Access to Opportunities Program. Rahul is a trustee of the foundation.
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Meanwhile, in Amethi, a seat which Rajiv Gandhi
represented in the Parliament from 1981 till his assassination in 1991, Congress activists paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister on his 72nd birth anniversary.
Congress activists led by Chandra Kant Dubey, Yogendra Mishra (president of district unit of party) and spokesman Anil Singh joined the 'Prabhat Pheri' in different parts of the constituency and garlanded the statue of Rajiv Gandhi at Sagra Tiraha in Amethi town.
They also held meetings at block levels to pay tributes to the departed leader who was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu while campaigning for his party.
In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid homage to the Congress leader on his birth anniversary.
"Remembering Rajiv Gandhi ji, on his birth anniversary. I have many fond memories," Banerjee said in a tweet.
Banerjee, who started her political career in the Congress as a youth leader, was considered to be politically close to Rajiv Gandhi and his family.
