Rajiv Gandhi Birth Anniversary: Rahul Gandhi, sister Priyanka post heart-felt tributes for their father

Leaders across party lines paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the 75th birth anniversary on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay his tributes. “Tributes to our former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary,” Pm Modi said on micro-blogging site. Other dignitaries including Pranab Mukherjee, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi attended the prayer meet organised in New Delhi on Tuesday morning. Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted very emotional tweets as they remembered their father on his birth anniversary.

Today we celebrate the 75th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi ji, a patriot & a visionary, whose far sighted policies helped build India.

To me, he was a loving father who taught me never to hate, to forgive & to love all beings. #Rajiv75 #SadbhavanaDiwas pic.twitter.com/gaozH8h06r

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 20, 2019

“Today we celebrate the 75th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi ji, a patriot & a visionary, whose far sighted policies helped build India. To me, he was a loving father who taught me never to hate, to forgive & to love all beings,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

“From my father, I learned how to listen to people’s stories and find a place in my heart for them no matter how contrary to mine they might be. From him, I learned how to keep smiling and keep walking no matter how difficult the path might be,” Priyanka said on social site. She also posted a childhood photo along with the tweet.

From my father, I learned how to listen to people’s stories and find a place in my heart for them no matter how contrary to mine they might be.

From him, I learned how to keep smiling and keep walking no matter how difficult the path might be.#RajivGandhi75 #SadbhavanaDiwas pic.twitter.com/O4W8d9cUL5

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 20, 2019

The Congress, while remembering the former prime minister, said his dream was to make India a formidable force in 21st century as he focused on technology, education and giving a voice to the disenfranchised. "India's strength lies in its unity and diversity. As we remember Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his 75th birth anniversary, we must also remember that his words are now more relevant than ever. We must never allow communal madness to break the bond of unity among us all. #SadbhavanaDiwas," the Congress wrote on its official Twitter handle.

To observe the day as 'Sadbhavana Diwas', the Congress has planned a host of events during the week. The party will also organise a big event at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Tuesday where the Congress president will speak. A cultural programme will also being organised.

(With agency inputs)