New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): Expressing deep disappointment over the current political and social direction of the nation, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday stated that the vision of a modern, secular India envisioned by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is 'not being built now.'

Speaking to reporters on Rajiv Gandhi's 35th death anniversary at his 'Vir Bhumi' memorial in Delhi, Aiyar slammed visitors for reducing the occasion to mere slogan-shouting while completely ignoring the late leader's core principles.

'I see many people come here and raise slogans for him, but they don't read the inscriptions written here about his life, ideology, and achievements,' Aiyar said. 'The India he wanted to build is not being built now, which is very sad, because in Nehru's legacy, Rajiv Gandhi was the only one who was trying to take it forward in the most modern form.'

When questioned about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's leadership and whether it mirrors the working style of his father, Aiyar distanced himself from making a direct assessment, stating he does not share a close acquaintance with him.

'I don't know him much. He is a part of the same family, legacy, and ideology, which Rajiv Gandhi was trying to carry forward', he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 35th death anniversary, asserting that the Nehru-Gandhi family has consistently made immense sacrifices for the nation without seeking personal gains.

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Hooda recalled the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and highlighted his popularity among the nation's youth.'Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during the elections, after which he was about to become the Prime Minister again. The youth of the entire country considered him an idol,' Hooda said.

Earlier, several Congress leaders on Thursday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 35th death anniversary at his memorial Vir Bhumi in the national capital.

Rajiv Gandhi took over the charge of the Congress in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 when he assumed office in October 1984.

He served as the Prime Minister of India till December 2, 1989. Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. (ANI)