New Delhi: The nation paid rich tributes to the architect of modern India Jawahar Lal Nehru on his 113th birth anniversary on November 14.

President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and several senior leaders led the nation in offering flowers at his Shantivan memorial on the banks of river Yamuna.

Deputy leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shivraj Patil, Deputy speaker of Lok Sabha P M Sayeed, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Kaul, DPCC President Subhash Chopra and AICC secretary Major Ved Prakash were among those who visited the Samadhi of late Prime Minister and paid homage.

A large gathering of school children sang patriotic songs and released hundreds of multi-colour balloons on the occasion to remember Nehru, fondly called "Chacha" for his love for children.

Hundreds of people cutting across caste and communal lines also visited Shantivan as a mark of respect for the great Indian leader.

PTI