Rajiv Gandhi helped prepare India for promise of 21st century, says Congress
The Congress party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 82nd birth anniversary. Party leaders highlighted his contributions to technology and his vision for India's youth.
Why it matters
Commemorations of former leaders reflect the ongoing political legacy and ideological focus of major Indian political parties.
The Congress on Thursday (August 20, 2026) paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 82nd birth anniversary, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying his legacy lives on in the transformative changes he championed and in his enduring faith in India's youth, technological progress and the power of new ideas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 20, 2026) also paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi. “On the occasion of his birth anniversary, paying homage to former Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi,” Mr. Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the resolve to build the India of his father Rajiv Gandhi's dreams will always continue to guide him.
Mr. Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Veer Bhumi here.
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