New Delhi [India]:Top Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi on Tuesday. Other senior leaders, such as Sachin Pilot and DK Shivakumar, also joined in remembering the late Prime Minister on the occasion observed as ‘Balidan Diwas’.
In a heartfelt post on X, Congress President Kharge remembered Rajiv Gandhi as “a great son of India” and credited him with key reforms and initiatives that helped shape modern India.
“His visionary and courageous interventions were instrumental in preparing India for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century,” Kharge said, citing milestones such as:
- Lowering the voting age to 18,
- Strengthening Panchayati Raj,
- Spearheading the IT and telecom revolution,
- Launching the universal immunisation programme, and
- Introducing a new education policy focused on inclusive learning.
Rahul Gandhi, who was visibly emotional at the ceremony, paid silent tribute to his father alongside party colleagues.
Sachin Pilot, in his tribute, called Rajiv Gandhi a “visionary leader” whose progressive decisions took India to new heights.
“His contribution is an inspiration to us and his memory will always live in our hearts,” Pilot added in his X post.
The Congress party, through its official handle, also saluted Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy, emphasizing his unforgettable role in building modern India and his commitment to science, technology, and youth empowerment.
Former Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar echoed similar sentiments, calling the late PM the “architect of Digital India” and sharing his personal bond with him.
“He was more than a towering figure in Indian politics—he was a mentor,” Shivakumar wrote, also noting that Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial in Sriperumbudur contains a granite piece from Kanakapura, his home region.
Rajiv Gandhi’s Legacy:
Rajiv Gandhi became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 following the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in 1984. He served as PM from October 1984 to December 1989.
Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber on May 21, 1991, during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
His enduring contributions to Indian democracy, technology, and governance continue to be remembered and honoured by generations across the country.