Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday paid tribute to his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 35th death anniversary by sharing a childhood photograph. He vowed to continue working towards fulfilling his father's vision of a strong and prosperous India.
Rahul Gandhi's Tribute
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Papa, I will fully shoulder the responsibility of realizing the dream of a skilled, prosperous, and strong India that you envisioned. Your teachings, your values, and your memories will always remain with me."
Congress Leaders Pay Homage
Senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Vir Bhumi in Delhi. Priyanka Gandhi's children Miraya and Raihan Vadra were also present during the tribute ceremony.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remembered Rajiv Gandhi as a 'remarkable son of India' and highlighted his role in shaping modern India through reforms in technology, education, and local governance. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "India is an old country but a young nation... I dream of India — strong, independent, self-reliant and in the front rank of the nations of the world, in the service of mankind." He added, "On his martyrdom day, we pay our deepest respects to Former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi, a remarkable son of India who inspired hope and aspiration in millions across the nation."
Leaders Remember Rajiv Gandhi's Legacy
Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda described Rajiv Gandhi as a symbol of hope for the youth and noted the sacrifices made by the Gandhi family. "Rajiv Gandhi was about to become the PM again before he was assassinated. He was doing everything he could for India. He was a symbol of hope for the Indian youth, who looked up to him," Hooda said while speaking to reporters at Vir Bhumi.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot praised Rajiv Gandhi's vision for science, technology, and youth empowerment. "Rajiv Gandhi was the first person to talk about the 21st Century in that era. He believed that people should prepare themselves for the new century, which would keep India on par with other countries in the world," Gehlot said.
Rajiv Gandhi's Political Journey
Rajiv Gandhi became India's youngest Prime Minister in 1984 at the age of 40 after the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He served as Prime Minister until 1989 and was assassinated in 1991 during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in a suicide bombing carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
