Glowing tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 21st death anniversary. It was on this day in 1991 that Rajiv Gandhi fell to the prey to the terrorists design at Sriperumbudur in Tamilnadu. The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited his Samadhi at the Veer Bhumi in the National Capital and offered floral tributes to the veteran leader.

Several State governments and State Congress Committees organised functions to mark the day. In Tamilnadu, Minister of State for Railway K H Muniappa unveiled a photo exhibition on Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur. An all religious prayer meeting was also held at the place where a large number of people turned up to pay their homage to their beloved leader.

The day is also being observed as anti-terrorism day. The objective is to generate awareness among all sections of people about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effects on the society. The anti terrorism day is also being observed to wean away the youth from terrorists and cult of violence by highlighting the sufferings of common people.

Employees in Government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions today took a pledge to oppose all forms of terrorism and violence.