New Delhi, 02 October (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, visited Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat in Delhi on Friday to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary. The leaders offered floral tributes at the memorials of the two national figures and recalled their contributions and ideals.

President Droupadi Murmu, in a post on X, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and said that, on the occasion of the Father of the Nation’s 157th birth anniversary, she offered her respectful homage to him on behalf of all citizens.

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said Mahatma Gandhi’s unwavering faith in truth and non-violence, his steadfast commitment to justice and his belief in the dignity of every individual continue to inspire humanity. He said Gandhi’s life and message remain a lasting source of inspiration for peace, compassion, selflessness and service.

The Vice-President said Lal Bahadur Shastri was a leader of quiet strength and extraordinary determination. He described Shastri’s humility, honesty and unwavering dedication to the nation as exemplary, saying that his life demonstrated that true leadership rests on simplicity, courage and service to the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts had inspired people across the world and would remain relevant as long as their message continued to be connected with humanity. The Prime Minister also highlighted Gandhi’s emphasis on adopting Swadeshi, citing Khadi as a prominent example. He said Bapu’s timeless message would continue to guide people towards building a better society and a Viksit Bharat.

Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his simplicity and dedication to the nation remained deeply inspiring. He said Shastri’s gentle personality filled every Indian with pride, while his resolve was firm like a rock.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Mahatma Gandhi’s life message of truth, non-violence and humanity was timeless and would continue to inspire generations to come.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on social harmony, cleanliness and public service remained relevant even today. He said Gandhi’s life and ideals continued to inspire people to fulfil their responsibilities towards society and the nation. He added that Lal Bahadur Shastri’s life and ideals would continue to inspire future generations with the values of honesty, a sense of duty and patriotism.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said Lal Bahadur Shastri made simplicity a tradition, duty a form of devotion and national service the guiding principle of his life. He said Shastri’s ideals would continue to guide the people of the country. Shah also said Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated through his life that when there is dedication in one’s actions and purity in one’s thoughts, no goal is impossible.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said Mahatma Gandhi had inspired the entire world to follow the path of peace and non-violence, and that his life itself was an example. He said Gandhi’s ideas of Swadeshi and Swaraj would continue to inspire generations. Gadkari also paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri’s simple life and personality.

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and said that Gandhi, a pioneer of non-violence, spread the message of peace and harmony rooted in Indian culture across the world. He said Gandhi’s ideas concerning national unity and development would remain relevant in every era.

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said Mahatma Gandhi showed the country the path of truth and non-violence in the struggle for independence. He said Gandhi’s views on non-violence, cleanliness and national service continued to guide society and would keep inspiring future generations.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said truth, non-violence and fearlessness were among Bapu’s greatest legacies. He said Gandhi taught people never to bow before injustice and that remaining steadfast in truth and non-violence was the real strength.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Mahatma Gandhi not only guided India’s freedom struggle but also showed the world the path of humanity, compassion and peace. He said Lal Bahadur Shastri’s simple life, imbued with Gandhian values and high ideals, would also continue to inspire everyone.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar