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 Uttar Pradesh hundreds of congress party workers converged at party head quarter at Lucknow and paid tributes to the late leader Rajiv Gandhi. An all religious prayer was organised on this occasion and leaders including party functionaries, M.P’s and MLA’s were among those who paid floral tributes at the statue of late leader in state capital. Blood donation cams have also been organized at several places across the state.<br/> <br/>A large number of people including congress men and people from different walks of life paid floral tribute to the late leader at his ancestral house Ananad Bhawan at Allahabad. Leaders and local citizens have started reaching Anand Bhawan from early hours to pay their tributes. Several educational and other social organisations have also organised programmes throughout the state on this occasion. <br/> <br/>The day was also observe as anti terrorist day in the state to generate awareness among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole. Government employees were taken oath against terrorism at their respective offices.<br/>