New Delhi [India], August 20 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the latter's birth anniversary.

'On his birth anniversary today, my tributes to former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji,' PM Modi wrote on X.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi also shared a post on X, paying tribute to her father. She wrote, 'From you, we inherited the values of compassion, love, and patriotism. Both of us will forever uphold these values. No one will be able to break them, no one will be able to stop them, nor will our steps ever falter.'

On Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid floral tribute to Rajiv Gandhi at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi, accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra and son Raihan Vadra.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP P Chidambaram also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi. In his post on X, Kharge wrote that the Indian National Congress would observe the day as Sadbhavana Diwas.

'Today, as we observe Sadbhavana Diwas, we remember Rajiv Gandhi, a remarkable leader who inspired hope in millions and propelled India into the 21st century. Innumerable achievements for India exemplified Rajiv Gandhi's legacy and brought transformative changes in the country. We pay our deepest respects to him on his birth anniversary,' Kharge said.

Rajiv Gandhi took charge of the Congress party in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 in October 1984 and served until December 2, 1989.

Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.

During his tenure, India witnessed the beginning of the modernisation of its economy, with emphasis on technology, telecommunications and education reforms. Rajiv Gandhi played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for India's IT boom, reducing import duties on computers and software, and promoting computer education in schools and universities. His government also supported the creation of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in 1988, boosting India's software industry.

(ANI)