Rajiv Gandhi death anniversary: Rahul Gandhi's emotional tribute to ex-PM
What's the story
On former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's 32nd death anniversary on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father by sharing an emotional video that captured the iconic leader's political journey. Along with the video, Rahul penned an emotional caption in Hindi, saying, "Father, you are always with me, as an inspiration, forever in my memories."
Context
Why does this story matter?
Thirty-two years ago, on this day, Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur. The tragic incident that claimed the life of the then-Indian prime minister had taken place during a poll rally for the 1991 general election in Sriperumbudur and had sent shockwaves across the nation.
Twitter Post
Here's what Rahul posted on Twitter
पापा, आप मेरे साथ ही हैं, एक प्रेरणा के रूप में, यादों में, सदा! pic.twitter.com/WioVkdPZcr
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2023
Details
Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka visit Veer Bhumi
Earlier on Sunday, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her children, Rahul and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the late leader's memorial site, Veer Bhumi, in New Delhi to pay their respects. Moreover, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also visited Veer Bhumi. Numerous other top Congress leaders also took to social media and offered their tributes to Gandhi on his death anniversary.
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Kharge salutes 'great son of India'
Commemorating Gandhi on Sunday, Kharge also took to Twitter to laud the contributions of the "great son of India" in nation-building. Furthermore, the Congress chief stated, "Through multiple interventions such as lowering of voting age, strengthening Panchayati Raj, Telecom & IT revolution, and sustained peace accords — he transformed India, propelling it in the 21st century."
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Kharge's Twitter post on Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi was a great son of India.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 21, 2023
Through multiple interventions such as lowering of voting age, strengthening Panchayati Raj,Telecom & IT revolution, and sustained peace accords — he transformed India, propelling it in 21st century.
Our humble homage on his martyrdom day. pic.twitter.com/xxNy1np5JI
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From Baghel to Tharoor, top leaders pay tribute to Gandhi
Not only Kharge but several other Congress leaders like Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor remembered the former PM on his death anniversary. The leaders echoed similar sentiments that Gandhi's sacrifice would continue to inspire the members of the grand old party to work toward nation building.
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Here's what Tharoor tweeted
On the 32nd anniversary of #RajivGandhi’s martyrdom, performed pushparchana at a street side memorial for the late leader in the Muttada neighbourhood of Thiruvananthapuram. His sacrifice is a vital reminder of the risks & duties of public service, to which all elected officials… pic.twitter.com/0BtQMSkK4H
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 21, 2023
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Check out CM Baghel's post
जारी है ‘न्याय’
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) May 21, 2023
हो रही अतिरिक्त आय #BharoseKaSammelan pic.twitter.com/xFfFb875bU
Further information
Looking back at Gandhi's political tenure as PM
Gandhi created history by becoming India's youngest prime minister aged 40, serving in the post from 1984-89. Coming from a rich and powerful political family, the late Congress leader took charge of the country in 1984 after the tragic assassination of his mother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Before becoming the PM, Gandhi also served as the general secretary of the Congress.