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. “Perhaps the most meaningful tribute to Rajiv Ji would be to strengthen India’s timeless spirit of empathy, harmony and reconciliation, while nurturing intellectual freedom, innovation and the aspirations of our young people,” the Congress chief said. In another post, the Congress chief shared a quote of Rajiv Gandhi and said, “Rajiv Gandhi ji did not see only the future in India’s youth, but the power to shape the future. “On Sadbhavana Diwas, salutations to that youthful vision, that foresight, and that dream of India, which even today inspires every new generation to move forward, think anew, and dream big,” Mr. Kharge said.
Ramesh recalled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leaders paid tributes to the late leader. Rajiv Gandhi, as the Prime Minister, produced the New Education Policy of 1988 that, among many other innovations, established the nation-wide network of Navodaya Vidyalayas, Mr.
Earlier reporting noted: “On the occasion of his birth anniversary, paying homage to former Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Earlier reporting noted: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi , Rajiv Gandhi’s wife, and children, Congress leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid floral tributes at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi. Earlier reporting noted: How PM Modi, Rahul, others paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was remembered by political leaders across the spectrum on his 82nd birth anniversary on Thursday.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that given the youth ferment across the country, it is important to recall that it was Rajiv Gandhi who, as the Prime Minister, gave the 18-year-olds the right to vote by reducing the minimum voting age and led India decisively into the IT era.
“Today as we celebrate his 82nd birth anniversary and given the youth ferment across the country it is important to recall that it was Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who gave 18 year olds the right to vote by reducing the minimum voting age from 21 years by amending the Constitution,” Ramesh said.
