New Delhi, 10 April (H.S.): Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and several other leaders paid solemn tributes to former Prime Minister Morarji Desai on his death anniversary, commemorating his legacy of probity, discipline, and selfless public service.

Radhakrishnan laid floral wreaths at the Vice President's residence, honoring Desai's enduring contributions to the nation. Gadkari offered humble obeisance to the independence stalwart and fourth prime minister, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami invoked Desai as an exemplar of simplicity and service, whose dedication inspires national stewardship.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta extolled Desai's life of austerity, rigor, and patriotism, affirming that his ideals and developmental imprint will perpetually guide posterity.

The sole recipient of both India's Bharat Ratna (1991) and Pakistan's Nishan-e-Pakistan (1990), Desai—India's first non-Congress premier (1977-79)—is revered for pioneering peace overtures post-1974 nuclear tests and upholding Gandhian ethos amid Emergency's tumult.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar