Congress pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi; Priyanka tweets last photo with father

The Congress on Thursday (May 21) paid tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary and decided not to issue advertisements in his memory, but rather utilise the money in helping migrants.

“The Congress party has decided that due to coronavirus pandemic, instead of giving advertisements in his memory and while paying respects to him, the entire amount so saved will be utilised for helping migrant labourers and workers.

“Congress workers in the entire country have also taken this pledge to make efforts and focus on helping the needy,” a message from the party said.

Meanwhile, Rajiv Gandhi’s daughter and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra put out a tweet with a photo of her father with her, saying it was the last photo she had clicked with him.

She also said, “To be kind to those who are unkind to you; to know that life is fair, no matter how unfair you imagine it to be; to keep walking, no matter how dark the skies or fearsome the storm; to nurture a strong heart, and fill it with love no matter how great its sorrows; these are the gifts of my father’s life.”

..To nurture a strong heart, and fill it with love no matter how great it’s sorrows; these are the gifts of my father’s life. 2/2

(last photo with father)

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 21, 2020

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi described him as a “true patriot, liberal and who put the country on the path of progress and self-reliance with his farsightedness”.

“In memory of my beloved father, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, who was martyred this day in 1991. He was a wonderful father; gentle, kind, compassionate and patient. I miss him. But he will always stay alive in my heart and in the wonderful memories I have of him,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

In memory of my beloved father, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, who was martyred this day in 1991. He was a wonderful father; gentle, kind, compassionate & patient. I miss him. But he will always stay alive in my heart & in the wonderful memories I have of him. #RememberingRajivGandhi pic.twitter.com/bFO8CZoExN

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2020

In another tweet in Hindi, he said, “I am proud to be the son of a true patriot, liberal and philanthropic father. As prime minister, Rajiv ji put the country on the path of progress. With his farsightedness, he took steps to make the country self-reliant. Today on his death anniversary I salute him with affection and gratitude.”

एक सच्चे देशभक्त,उदार और परोपकारी पिता के पुत्र होने पर मुझे गर्व है।प्रधानमंत्री के रूप में राजीव जी ने देश को प्रगति के पथ पर अग्रसर किया।अपनी दूरंदेशी से देश के सशक्तीकरण के लिए उन्होंने ज़रूरी कदम उठाए।आज उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर मैं स्नेह और कृतज्ञता से उन्हें सादर नमन करता हूँ। pic.twitter.com/aDdKMf74wK

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2020

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber on May 21, 1991, when he was at attending an election meeting in Tamil Nadu.

Rajiv Gandhi had taken over as Congress president in 1984 after the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

He also became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40.