The nation on Saturday remembered former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 14th death anniversary recalling his immense contributions in making the country strong, modern and self-reliant.

Leaders at various functions across the country eulogised Gandhi for carrying the country forward, especially in the field of science, technology and telecommunication.

All-religion prayer meetings and mass feedings marked the occasion as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi led the nation in paying homage to the former premier.

A wreath was placed on behalf of President A P J Abdul Kalam at Vir Bhoomi, the memorial of the late prime minister,
on the banks of river Yamuna in New Delhi.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief and former Union minister Shibu Soren also offered floral tributes to the departed leader.

An all-religion prayer meeting was organised at the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu where he
fell victim to a human bomb on May 21, 1991.

Earlier, at Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee headquarters, floral tributes were paid to the late leader.