Date:31/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/31/stories/2008013160071200.htm

National

Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

Staff Reporter

Floral, musical tributes, prayers mark observance of Martyrs’ Day

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a prayer meeting at Rajghat in New Delhi on Wednesday on Mahatma’s death anniversary. The three Services chiefs are behind them.

NEW DELHI: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday led the nation in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 60th death anniversary.

Ms. Patil paid floral tributes at Rajghat and listened to the favourite hymns of Gandhiji sung by an all-religion group. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L. K. Advani and the three Services Chiefs were among prominent others who paid tributes to the Mahatma.

Several programmes were organised in the Capital in remembrance of the apostle of peace, who was felled by bullets this day in 1948.

In the evening, a musical tribute by students of 18 schools in the Capital and the National Capital Region was offered at the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti.

Ms. Patil, Mr. Ansari, Ms. Gandhi, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar and American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson were present.

Bhajans

Noted playback singer Kavita Krishnamurti sang Bapu’s favourite “bhajans,” while renowned violinist and musician L. Subramaniam gave a recital. A “Sarva Dharma Prarthna Sabha” was also held.