Monday, October 31 2005 12:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today (Oct 31, 2005) led the nation in paying homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 21st death anniversary.

Early in the morning, Singh and Gandhi offered floral tributes to the late leader at her Shakti Sthal memorial here.

Union Ministers Shivraj Patil, Natwar Singh, Prithviraj Chauhan and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister-designate Ghulam Nabi Azad were among other Congress leaders who paid their respects.

Gandhi's son and MP Rahul Gandhi also offered floral tributes to his grandmother although his sister Priyanka Vadra and her family members were conspicuous by their absence.

An all religion prayer service was held and excerpts from Indira Gandhi's last speech, including the famous 'main rahoon ya na rahoon', were played on the occasion. Security at the memorial was tighter than usual in the wake of the serial blasts on Saturday.