New Delhi, October 2
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today led the nation in paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on the occasion of his 133rd birth anniversary at his samadhi in Rajghat here.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Manmohan Singh, Union Ministers George Fernandes, Ananth Kumar, Sahib Singh Verma and Vijay Goel also joined Dr Kalam in paying floral tributes to Gandhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, several Gandhians, including Ms Nirmala Deshpande, members of the diplomatic corps and several students were also present on the occasion.

In a message on the occasion, Dr Kalam said: “Like the first vision of the nation to attain freedom generated unity of thoughts and actions with a singular aim, we recognise our nation has to have the second vision to transform India into a developed nation.”

“This needs focused mission projects and actions from everyone with unified thinking that the nation is bigger than the individual. This vision, armed with economic strength, will eliminate all small thoughts and actions and the evil designs of divisive forces that challenge the peace and prosperity of the nation and its security,” he said.

Dr Kalam asserted that he had no doubt that as the years rolled by and as the country progressed towards higher levels of development, the teachings of the Mahatma would “continue to guide all of us.”

“In a strife-torn world, where self-aggrandisement and unbridled avarice subjugate every other emotion, the life of Bapuji would stand as a solitary beacon of hope,” he said.

Recalling the days when the Mahatma trundled barefoot in Bengal trying to ensure communal harmony and spread the message of peace and non-violence, when the whole nation was rejoicing and celebrating the birth of independent India, Dr Kalam said: “That was Gandhiji, the Mahatma, the true selfless soul, the ultimate symbol of humility, who found us freedom treading with single-minded devotion the path of truth, peace, love and non-violence.”

The launching of a scheme to benefit over a million leather artisans in Andhra Pradesh and a mobile school for slum children in Jaipur marked Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in other parts of the country.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the “Malupa” programme which would benefit a million leather artisans through upgradation of skills, capacity building and establishment of 72 leather industrial parks across the state.

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the Mahatma’s birthplace at Kirti Mandir in Porbander this morning and offered floral tributes.

Rajasthan celebrated the day in a novel way, with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launching a mobile school for slum children in Jaipur.

Earlier, Mr Gehlot offered floral tributes at the Gandhi circle, where an all-religion prayer meeting was also held.

In West Bengal, the main function was held at Gandhighat in Barrackpore, where Governor Viren J. Shah offered floral tributes and attended an all-faith prayer meeting, held amidst singing of “Ramdhun” and spinning of wheels.

Port Louis: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan on Wednesday joined people of Mauritius in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 133rd birth anniversary.

Mr Mahajan offered floral tributes to the portrait of the Mahatma at a function held at Mahatma Gandhi Institute. Natives joined Indians and people of Indian origin in paying homage to the Mahatma.