Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar led the nation in paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 135th birth anniversary today.
At a brief ceremony in Central Hall of Parliament, Singh and Kumar offered floral tributes to the portrait of Patel, who was the first home minister of the nation.
Several Union ministers, Members of Parliament and former Members of Parliament were also present.
The secretaries-general of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, TK Viswanathan and VK Agnihotri, respectively, also offered floral tributes.
A booklet containing the profile of Patel was presented to the dignitaries who attended the function.
The portrait of Patel was unveiled by then President Rajendra Prasad in the Central Hall of Parliament House on April 23, 1958.
