Rajiv Gandhi's 28th death anniversary: Congress to hold commemorative programmes

Today is former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 28^th death anniversary. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide attack at Sriperumbudur of Tamil Nadu in 1991. The day is also observed as Anti-terrorism Day. Rajiv Gandhi was killed for sending an Indian Peace Keeping Force into Sri Lanka in 1987 to aid Colombo in its fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at Veer Bhumi. Son-in-law Robert Vadra was also present apart from other Congress leaders. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee paid tribute to the former prime minister.

The Congress party will hold commemorative programmes to mark the death anniversary Rajiv Gandhi to highlight his contribution to the country. A statement issued by Congress party said: “The youth and coming generations of the nation need to know the unparalleled and unique contributions made by the former PM. In this context the party has decided to observe the death anniversary for highlighting the vision and mission of one of the most venerated political figures the country has ever produced.”

The Congress will conduct publicity programmes at the block level across the country to showcase Gandhi’s exemplary efforts to take the country into the 21^st century, especially his achievement in constructing the information technology and telecom revolutions and laying the foundation for Panchayati Raj institutions to strengthen democracy at the grass-root level.