The nation today remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his 141st birth anniversary. A number of functions are being organised across the country to mark the occasion. In Delhi, President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other leaders offered floral tributes at Rajghat—the memorial of the Mahatma. Sarva Dharma prayer meeting was also held on the occasion. The day is also celebrated as the International Day of non-violence as Gandhiji was the apostle of peace and truth. In Puducherry, rich floral tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Union Minister V. Narayanasamy, Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh, Assembly Speaker Radhakrishnan, State Ministers, MLAs and PCC President A.V. Subramanian garlanded the Gandhi statue at the Beach Road. An all religious prayer was held on the occasion and devotional songs were sung. Passages from scriptures were also read out.Today is also the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. In Delhi, a large number of people are paying their tributes to the recipient of the first Bharat Ratna Award at his Samadhi – Vijay Ghat. Shastri ji revolutionised the country's agriculture sector and gave the slogan – 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kissan'.