PTI photo

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday led the nation in paying homage to former premier Rajiv Gandhi on his 74th birth anniversary.

Former president Pranab Mukherjee, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders, including Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, paid floral tributes to him at Veer Bhumi here.

Modi recalled the "efforts" of the former prime minister "towards the nation".

"Tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his birth anniversary. We remember his efforts towards the nation," he wrote on Twitter.

Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi served as prime minister from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated on May 21, 1991.

Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, recalled the memories of time spent with his father.

"Rajiv Gandhi was a kind, gentle and affectionate man whose untimely death left a deep void in my life. I remember the times we had together and the many birthdays we were lucky to celebrate with him when he was alive. He is greatly missed, but his memory lives on," he said.

At Veer Bhumi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra, former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar also paid homage to the former prime minister.

In several parts of the country, regional leaders also paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi by garlanding his portrait or statues.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot tweeted in Hindi: "Popular leader with a visionary personality, tribute to former prime minister late Shri Rajiv Gandhi. Wishes to all people of the country on Sadbhavna Diwas."

He also posted a picture of Rajiv Gandhi, whose birth anniversary is celebrated as 'Sadbhavna Diwas'.

