Rajiv Gandhi remembered by PM Narendra Modi and other leaders on Twitter

On the 71st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and other leaders took to micro-blogging website Twitter to pay their tributes to him.

Rajiv Gandhi took office right after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. In the following elections, the Congress under Rajiv swept to power winning 424 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Initially considered a people's leader, Gandhi faced many controversies during his tenure - most notably the Bhopal Gas tragedy, the Shah Bano case and the Bofors scandal. The Ram Janmabhoomi issue also began to rear its head during his tenure. Moreover, the anti-Sikh riots that began after Indira Gandhi's assassination led to accusations against some Congress leaders.

Nevertheless, he was a youth icon during his time and is sometimes credited for the advent of the era of computerisation in India.

Rajiv Gandhi's decision to send IPKF to Sri Lanka as a peacekeeping force during its war with the LTTE caused significant controversy. He was assassinated in 1991, two years after leaving office.

On his 71st birth anniversary, various high ranking politicians remembered him on Twitter. Twitterati in general also joined in paying homage.

I pay my tributes to India's former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 20, 2015

Remembering Rajivji on his birth anniversary.His vision and his values continue to guide &inspire us pic.twitter.com/CHRKsxadJH

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 20, 2015

#PresidentMukherjee paid homage at the Samadhi of Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi today on his Birth Anniversary pic.twitter.com/xMSuBAEA5a

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) August 20, 2015

The National Students' Union of India also remembered the former PM 

"India is an old country, but a young nation." Our tributes to the former PM Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/ynAD8749Qc

— NSUI (@nsui) August 19, 2015

The Indian National Congress also paid their tributes to the former party president. 

The good of the people is the chief law- Rajiv Gandhi #RememberingRajiv pic.twitter.com/KXLkTeOs0c

— INC India (@INCIndia) August 20, 2015

Other State ministers and officials also posted their tributes on Twitter. 

We fondly remember our great leader Bharat Ratna Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his birthday today. pic.twitter.com/IE17XFQ9nA

— Tamil Nadu Congress (@TN_PCC) August 20, 2015

Remembering #Rajiv #Gandhi on #SadbhavanaDivas. He was the most-foresighted #PM that India has ever had. #CM #Kerala pic.twitter.com/oXATbGTPmX

— Oommen Chandy (@Oommen_Chandy) August 20, 2015

The former PM was remembered by several other people on Twitter

He taught a young nation how to dream! #RememberingRajiv pic.twitter.com/cegc2Qx5tw

— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) August 20, 2015

#RememberingRajiv Gandhi ji, the messenger of peace, prosperity & progress on his birth anniversary.Tribute to... http://t.co/VzN6kVmDHg

— Nishant Patel (@patelnishant627) August 20, 2015

Remembering Rajiv, who strtd #JNV's which provide the bst quality education to the poor stdnts. May his soul Rest In Peace #RememberingRajiv

— Punkaj Kumar (@punkajpk) August 20, 2015

While a few remembered him in a different way

#RememberingRajiv for giving India an evergreen youth icon: RaGa!

— Ritika Jha (@Ritzi177) August 20, 2015

#RememberingRajiv for producing one of the most funniest kids who is now the lifeline of twitter jokes.

— oldschoolmonk (@oldschoolmonk) August 20, 2015