'I Have A Dream': When Rajiv Gandhi Got Standing Ovation At US Congress For 'Impatient India' Speech — WATCH

Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary: Tributes poured in for former PM Rajiv Gandhi on his 33rd death anniversary on Tuesday.

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Source : Getty

Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary: In the year 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE cadres at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during an election campaign. On Tuesday, tributes poured in on his 33rd death anniversary. Amid all the tributes, a video went viral on social media. In the video, the former PM can be seen addressing a gathering and expressing his aspirations and dreams for the future of India. After the end of his speech, he was greeted with a standing ovation.

The viral video pertains to Rajiv Gandhi's address at a joint sitting of the US Congress. According to a First Post report, he became the first Indian prime minister to address a joint sitting of the US Congress on July 13, 1985, and the speech came in the aftermath of Gandhi’s resounding victory in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections.

In his speech, the former PM highlighted that India is a young nation and also an impatient one. He also said that he has a dream to see India strong and self-reliant. 

“Our leaders in the past 30 years have established strong foundations on which we now have to build. India is an old country but a young nation, and like the young everywhere, we are impatient. I am young, and I have a dream. I dream of an India—strong, self-reliant, and in the front rank of the nations of the world in the service of mankind. I am committed to realising that dream through dedication, hard work, and the collective determination of our people. We will welcome all the cooperation that we can get,” Rajiv Gandhi said.

Remembering Rajiv Gandhi.
"I am young & I too hv a dream."
( 20.8.44 - 21.5.91 ) pic.twitter.com/kOWAxqPSBi

— Dr Jaison Philip. M.S., MCh (@Jasonphilip8) May 21, 2024

Meanwhile, several Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi paid homage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary on Tuesday at Veer Bhumi in Delhi. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi. "On his death anniversary, my tributes to our former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji," Modi said in a post on X.