New Delhi, May 21: The nation on Wednesday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 17th death anniversary.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A K Antony and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among those who paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with her son and MP Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Vadra reached 'Vir Bhumi' to pay their tributes.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal and senior Congress leader Motilal Vora were among others who also paid tributes.

A prayer meeting was organised in the premises of the memorial. A speech given by late Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 was also played at the end of prayer.

The day is also being observed as Anti-Terrorism Day. Seminars and discussions are organised against terrorism and a pledge would be administered to people against terrorism and for maintaining peace.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. (ANI)