New Delhi: Rich tributes were today (Oct 2, 2004) paid to Mahatma Gandhi on his 135th birth anniversary, with President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leading the nation in paying homage to the Father of the Nation.

A number of other dignitaries, including UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani also offered floral tributes at Gandhi's 'samadhi' at the Raj Ghat in New Delhi.

Union Ministers Mani Shankar Aiyer, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Meira Kumar, Prem Kumar Gupta and Prithviraj Chauhan, Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi, the Prime Minister Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur, eminent Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande, foreign diplomats and many school children also paid glowing tributes to the apostle of peace.

An inter-religious prayer meeting was held on the occasion at the Raj Ghat in which hymns from all major religions of the world and quotations of Gandhi were recited.

A 24-hour collective 'charka' spinning session has been organised to remember Gandhi's ideals.