Monday, August 1 2005 13:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Remembering Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his 85th death anniversary today (Aug 01, 2005), leaders paid floral tributes to the late freedom fighter.

Among the dignitaries who paid homage to the late leader at his statue here (New Delhi) this morning were Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and senior Congress leader Vasant Sathe.

Patil, who was chief guest at the function organised by Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, said Tilak's ideals were relevant even today and people should draw inspiration from them.

"A lot can be learnt from the life of Lokmanya. His life was full of struggles, but he was never scared of struggle," the Home Minister said.

Joshi remembered Tilak's contribution to the freedom struggle, saying he led the independence movement prior to the era of Mahatma Gandhi.

"He took the idea of freedom from intellectual circles to the common people," he said.

Chief Minister Dikshit said Tilak's dream of 'Poorna Swaraj' was incomplete till the poor of the country were uplifted.

A large number of children from Marathi schools in the capital were present on the occasion to pay homage to Tilak.