Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's memorial, Veer Bhumi, and paid homage on his birth anniversary. He described his father as a compassionate and loving human being, and a man with tremendous vision, far ahead of his times.

"Rajiv Gandhi was a man with a tremendous vision, far ahead of his times. But above all else, he was a compassionate and loving human being. I am incredibly lucky and proud to have him as my father. We miss him today and everyday," Gandhi tweeted.

Amid the rainfall, Gandhi reached Veer Bhumi to pay respects to his father. Party leaders and Indian Youth Congress activists present there raised slogans hailing the former prime minister.

The birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi on August 20 is observed as Sadbhavna Divas (harmony day) by the Congress. Born on this day in 1944, Gandhi served as the prime minister between 1984 and 1989.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday also remembered former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, saying his contributions to the IT sector will always be remembered. "Remembering former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary today. His contributions to IT sector will always be remembered," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted.

First Published:Aug 20, 2020 12:37 PM IST