Prez,VP, PM pay tributes to Bapu on 70th martyrdom day

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind,Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid floral tributes to Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on his 70th Martyrdom Day.Defence Minister Nirmala Sithraman along with the three armed forces chiefs including General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba were present on the occassion who laid wreath at the Father of Nation's memorial on the Martyrdom Day.A gun salute was also given followed by an all-religion prayer meeting.

'Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi', the PM said in a tweet. On Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, which is also observed as Martyrs Day, the PM also paid tributes to all those martyrs who have sacrificed themselves in service of our nation.'We bow to all those martyrs who have sacrificed themselves in the service of our nation. We will always remember their courage as well as dedication towards the nation,' the PM said.Tributes were also paid to the the martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country, devotional songs and prayers were offered, while people who were present there also paid respect and tributes to the father of the nation.Elaborate security arrangements were in place at Raj Ghat in view of the VVIP gathering that included President, Vice President , PM , Defence Minister , the armed forces chiefs and other SPG protected persons.

A multi-layer security involving different agencies was in place with deployment of paramilitary forces and special commandos.January 30th, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is observed as the Martyrs Day.On January 30 1948 'Bapu' fell to the bullets of a fanatic while returning from his evening prayer meeting.(UNI)