Power celebration

With the Congress back in the saddle at the Centre, the UPA government and Congress-ruled states came together today for a grand celebration...

With the Congress back in the saddle at the Centre, the UPA government and Congress-ruled states came together today for a grand celebration of the 60th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.

A string of functions marked the occasion in the Capital. Vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat joined Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to pay floral tributes at the late leader’s memorial, Veer Bhoomi.

Son Rahul, daughter Priyanka and her husband Robert Vadra accompanied Sonia at the ceremony.

Story continues below this ad

Later, the Prime Minister unveiled a life-size statue of Rajiv near Parliament House. Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and leader of Opposition L.K. Advani also attended the function.

In the evening, the Prime Minister released a postal stamp of the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources to mark Rajiv’s birth anniversary. The ministry had declared the day as Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh recalled that Rajiv ‘‘had the foresight in information technology and communication 15 years before the process unfolded’’. He presented the first set of stamps to Sonia. Those present included Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Sonia presented the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award to noted social activists Swami Agnivesh and Madari Moideen at a function attended by the Prime Minister.

Story continues below this ad

Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav inaugurated a computerised railway reservation centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government employees marked the day as ‘Sadhbhavna Divas’ while Congress leaders and workers all over the state paid homage to the former prime minister. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, in a fax message to Sonia Gandhi, said: ‘‘I join with your feelings and commitments in continuing the deeds, thoughts and dreams of our beloved Rajiv Gandhi in taking our nation in the forefront of the world.’’

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee organised a memorial service at its headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, in Guwahati, presided over by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Addressing party workers, the Chief Minister said Rajiv had visited every nook and corner of the country and taken novel steps in the field of education, information technology, science and technology and environmental science.

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress organised a ‘Run for the Nation’ race in Bhopal, flagged off by former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. Several programmes, including painting competitions and public awareness rallies were organised by the State Energy Development Corporation.

Story continues below this ad

SHIMLA: The hill state observed Rajiv’s 60th birth anniversary with a slew of tree plantations, blood donation camps and rallies. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh led the people in paying floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at the Sadhavna Chowk. Addressing the gathering, he described Rajiv as a ‘‘visionary and a dynamic leader’’ who prepared the country to enter the 21st century as a ‘‘proud nation’’. He said the state was indebted to the Nehru-Gandhi family for their continued support. From Nehru to Indira and Rajiv, the family had been instrumental in the development of the state, he said.