21 May : A grateful nation pays homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary on Friday.It was on this day in 1991 when he was martyred in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.
The day is also being observed as Anti-Terrorism Day.
An all religion prayer meeting is being held on his Samadhi at Veer-Bhoomi in the morning to pay homage to the departed leader.
The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist violence by highlighting the suffering of the common people and detrimental to the national interest.
The President Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil was joined by the Vice President, Mohd Hamid Ansari,the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh , UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi ,Young Turk Rahul Gandhi and the leader of the Oppossition in Lok Sabha, Mrs Sushama Swaraj in paying homage to the departed leader at his Samadhi at Veer Bhoomi.
Several union ministers and Congress leaders were also present where an all religion Prayer meeting held early Friday morning.
Congress party is organising a series of programmes to mark the occasion.
Number of welfare programmes including blood donation camp etc are arranged to mark the occasion.
Debates and discussions are also being organized in schools, colleges and universities apart from holding of symposia and seminars highlighting the dangers of terrorism and violence.
Voluntary organizations, social and cultural bodies organize their own programmes through lectures, talks, discussions, musical and recitation programmes and cultural functions, etc. Mass education programmes are also being held to highlight the ill effects of violence and terrorism.
Anti-terrorism pledge will be taken in all Government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions.
In Puducherry, floral tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary.
The Union Minister G. Narayanaswami, Chief Minister Vaithilingam, state ministers, PCC President A V Subramanian and a large number of Congress workers came on procession and garlanded the Rajiv Gandhi statue. Anti-terrorism pledge was also taken by the participants.