Nation pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his 72nd birth anniversary

President Pranab Mukherjee led the nation on Saturday in paying homage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial 'Vir Bhoomi' on the occasion of his 72nd birth anniversary.

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Congress Party vice president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and other party leaders also paid tribute to the late leader, who was India's prime minister from 1984 to 1989.

Remembering Rajivji today. His vision, his values & his deep commitment to the people remain our inspiration pic.twitter.com/XSabYcOE6D

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 20, 2016

Nation is remembering former PM #RajivGandhi on his Birth Anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/3C9OUQfrKE

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 20, 2016

Remembering Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his birthday. We must realise his dream of a strong, vibrant and developed India. pic.twitter.com/ZEIrQIEB4j

— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 20, 2016

Meanwhile, Congress leaders like Sheila Dikshit, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sachin Pilot paid their tributes to Rajiv Gandhi. "Remembering Shri Rajiv Gandhi ji (youngest Indian Prime Minister of India on his birth anniversary," Dikshit said.

"My tributes to former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna "Rajiv Gandhi" ji on his 72nd birth anniversary..." Priyanka tweeted.

Gandhi's birth anniversary is also observed as 'Sadbhavna Diwas'. A recipient of Bharat Ratna, Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing at Chennai?s Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.