Nation pays homage to Indira Gandhi on her 25th death anniversary - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to former Premiere Indira Gandhi on the 25th anniversary of her martyrdom at Shakti Sthal here on Saturday. Tributes were also paid on behalf of President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, who is on a foreign visit. Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari also visited Shakti Sthal and paid his tributes. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi also paid floral tributes to Indira Gandhi. A prayer meeting was organised at the official residence of Indira Gandhi. This was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, family members of Gandhi and other dignitaries. A series of programmes are being organised across India to commemorate Indira Gandhi's martyrdom. Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to give the prestigious 24th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2008 to noted journalist, writer and human rights activist Balraj Puri at a function in New Delhi. In 1984, Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue Star to crush secessionist movement in Punjab and sent troops into the Golden Temple of Amritsar. She was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31st of the same year. Gandhi is remembered for leading the nation to new heights on national and international fronts.