Monday, October 2 2006 14:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Oct 2, 2006)led the nation in paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occassion of their birth anniversaries.

Kalam paid floral tributes at Raj Ghat, the Mahatma's samadhi where an inter-religious prayer meeting was organised this morning. He also paid tributes to Shastri at his samadhi 'Vijay Ghat.'

A 24-hour non-stop collective spinning was also underway at Raj Ghat, which began yesterday at 2 pm, to commemorate the 137th birth anniversary of the father of the nation.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition L K Advani, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among others who paid respects to the towering leaders of the country.

This year is celebrated as the centenary year of the launching of Satyagraha by the Mahatma.