New Delhi: The nation on Thursday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 65th birth anniversary. President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister. Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with her son and MP Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid their tributes at Vir Bhumi. Several functions were organised here, including a special prayer meeting at Vir Bhumi. The ministry of rural development has convened a high-level meeting here to review the National Rural Employment Guarentee Scheme (NAREGA). It may announce increase in the wages under NAREGA. The number of working days is also likely to be increased under the programme. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will launch a mass awareness campaign. Titled as Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas, the event advocates the essence of renewable energy in the sectors of bio energy, wind, hydro and solar energy. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. .
-August 20, 2009