India pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) India today fondly remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 64th death anniversary with President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation. Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Singh paid floral tributes at the Gandhi memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi at a function in the morning. A two-minute silence was observed and a gun salute given on the occasion. Ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony and some other central ministers, senior Bhartiya Janata Party leader L K Advani, chiefs of the three services, leaders of various political parties and people from different walks of life also paid tributes to the apostle of peace at his memorial. A multi-faith prayer service was organised and devotional songs were sung. Gandhi who successfully led India's freedom struggle through peaceful means was assassinated on January 30, 1948 as he was walking across for a prayer meeting. PTI