By IANS,
New Delhi: Sounds of ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ resonated in the air as animated children, mostly from slums and shelter homes, sang songs to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 142nd birth anniversary here Sunday.
The central lawns of Gandhi Smriti were the venue of the celebrations. Covered with green carpets, the lawns were surrounded by security personnel and TV cameras. Vivid floral decorations embellished the venue.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with wife Gursharan Kaur, Vice President Hamid Ansari and scores of other luminaries including Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit paid floral tribute at ‘Martyr’s Column’, the spot where Gandhiji was gunned down Jan 30, 1948.
Around 300 children wearing white kurtas and Gandhi caps sang bhajans and devotional songs dedicated to the Father of the Nation.
Representatives of all major religions conducted an inter-faith prayer service followed by bhakti sangeet (devotional music) by classical singer Kumud Diwan.
The dignitaries arrived at 5 p.m. and sat on white mattresses in the centre.