Nation pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi on his 21st death anniversary

New Delhi, May 21 (ANI): The nation on Monday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 21st death anniversary.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and the departed leader's widow and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were among the first to pay floral tribute to the late leader at 'Veer Bhumi', his memorial.

The children of the Gandhis, Congress General Secretary Rahul and Priyanka along with her husband Robert Vadra were also present on the occasion.

The day is also observed as Anti-Terrorism Day.

The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean youth away from the cult of terrorist violence by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. (ANI)