President, PM pay homage to Gandhi on death anniversary (Lead)

New Delhi Jan 30 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary at his memorial at Raj Ghat here.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa were among those present.

A "sarva dharma prarthana sabha" (all religion prayer meeting) was held to pay tributes to the "Father of the Nation".

Congress President Rahul Gandhi went to Gandhi Smriti and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also paid their respects at the Raj Ghat.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30 1948. The day is also observed as "Martyrs Day".

The President and the Prime Minister also paid their tributes through tweets.

"On Martyrs Day we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence " Kovind said.

"We bow to all those martyrs who have sacrificed themselves in service of our nation. We will always remember their courage as well as dedication towards the nation " Modi tweeted.

Union Ministers including Arun Jaitley and Mahesh Sharma also took to social media to pay their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

--IANS
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