By IANS,
New Delhi : Braving an uninterrupted drizzle, India’s top political leadership gathered at former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial Vir Bhumi here Wednesday to pay homage on his 17th death anniversary.
President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among those who paid floral tributes and stayed for the prayer meet to commemorate the former prime minister.
The departed leader’s widow and Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with her son and MP Rahul and daughter Priyanka Vadra also paid homage.
A speech given by the late Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 was also played at the end of prayer meet which brought back memories of the former leader.
The day is also being observed as anti-terrorism day with seminars and discussions organised. A pledge would be later administered to people to fight against the scourge of terrorism and for maintaining peace.
A Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam human bomber assassinated 46-year-old Gandhi at an election rally at Sriperumbudur near Chennai. Seventeen other people were also killed in the explosion and 44 injured.
A special court set up under the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act sentenced 26 accused, including five women, to death in the case.