Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her children and party leaders Rahul and Priyanka paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on the occasion of his 75th birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to the former prime minister.
“Tributes to our former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary,” tweeted the PM.
Earlier in the day, Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at Virbhoomi in Delhi.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee, ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Vice President Hamid Ansari and several other leaders also paid floral tribute to Rajiv Gandhi at Virbhoomi.
Former President Dr. Pranab Mukherjee, former Vice President Hamid Ansari & senior Congress leaders pay homage to Former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his 75th birth anniversary. #SadbhavanaDiwas #Rajiv75 pic.twitter.com/Kso2keGDBz
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 20, 2019
Rahul Gandhi remembered his father as someone who taught him never to hate anyone, to forgive and love all human beings.
Today we celebrate the 75th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi ji, a patriot & a visionary, whose far sighted policies helped build India.
To me, he was a loving father who taught me never to hate, to forgive & to love all beings. #Rajiv75 #SadbhavanaDiwas pic.twitter.com/gaozH8h06r
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 20, 2019
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted an emotional tribute to her father.
In a tweet, she said, it was from her father that she learned how to listen to people’s stories.
She also quoted a poem by American poet EE Cummings with a throwback photo of herself and Rajiv Gandhi.
From my father, I learned how to listen to people’s stories and find a place in my heart for them no matter how contrary to mine they might be.
From him, I learned how to keep smiling and keep walking no matter how difficult the path might be.#RajivGandhi75 #SadbhavanaDiwas pic.twitter.com/O4W8d9cUL5
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 20, 2019
Earlier on Monday, Rahul Gandhi had posted a tweet saying that the Congress was planning to celebrate Rajiv Gandhi Ji’s 75th birth anniversary with memorial events across India.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh while remembering the former Prime Minister tweeted, “You are forever in my heart & the heart of every person whose life you touched, dear friend. India remembers your contributions to nation-building & will always miss you, Rajiv” (sic).
The Congress celebrates the birthday of former Prime Minister as ‘Sadbhavna Diwas’.
Rajiv Gandhi was made the Prime Minister of the country after the assassination of his mother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
He was the youngest PM of the country at the age of 40.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991, while campaigning for the Congress in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur.