A grateful nation pays homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary today. It was on this day in 1991 when he was martyred in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. <br/><br/>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 day is also being observed as Anti-terrorism Day. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>The President Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil today led the nation in paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandi on his 19th death anniversary. <br/><br/>Mrs 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. <br/><br/>Several union ministers and Congress leaders were also present where an all religion Prayer meeting held early this morning. It was on this day in 1991, when he was martyred in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.<br/><br/>The day is also being observed as Anti-Terrorism Day.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. Congress party is organising a series of programmes to mark the occasion. <br/><br/>This includes organizing blood donation camps. 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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>Anti-terrorism pledge will be taken in all Government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions.<br/><br/><br/>In Puducherry, floral tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary.<br/><br/> 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. <br/><br/>Number of welfare programmes including blood donation camp etc are arranged to mark the occasion.<br/><br/>In Tamil Nadu, hundreds of Congress party workers converged at Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Sriperumbudur and paid tributes to the late leader, who was assassinated at this place. <br/><br/>Union Minister Mr K.Munniappa, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Mr K.V.Thangabalu, party functionaries, M.P’s and MLA’s were among those who paid floral tributes at the memorial. An all religious prayer meeting and blood donation camp has also been organized.<br/><br/>Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and senior ministers paid tributes to late Rajiv Gandhi at the Secretariat. The Chief Minister also administered the Anti-terrorism pledge to state ministers and government employees.<br/><br/>In UP, rich tribute is being paid to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary. The Congressmen garlanded his statues and portraits in different parts of the state. <br/><br/>In Gorakhpur, the district congress distributed fruits to patients and donated blood in the district hospital. The employees in central government offices including headquarter of North Eastern Railway took oath to fight against terrorism.<br/><br/><br/>The 19th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was observed in Mumbai today. <br/><br/>On this occasion, also observed as Anti-terrorism Day, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan gave the 'Anti-terrorism Day Pledge' to the staff and officers of Raj Bhavan and police personnel. <br/><br/>The Governor led the employees in expressing the resolve of the nation "to oppose all forms of terrorism and violence" and to promote "peace, social harmony and understanding" among fellow citizens on this occasion. <br/><br/>Earlier, the Governor offered flowers to the photograph of Rajiv Gandhi. A similar function was held at the MPCC office at Tilak Bhawan in central Mumbai. <br/><br/>MPCC President Manikrao Thakre garlanded Rajiv Gandhi's portrait and offered tributes.