President A P J Abdul Kalam led the nation on Monday in paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi [Images] and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occassion of their birth anniversaries.

Kalam paid floral tributes at Raj Ghat, the Mahatma's samadhi where an inter-religious prayer meeting was organised on Monday morning.

He also paid tributes to Shastri at his samadhi, Vijay Ghat.

A 24-hour non-stop session of collective spinning was also underway at Raj Ghat, which began on Sunday at 2 pm, to commemorate the 137th birth anniversary of the father of the nation.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi [Images], leader of opposition L K Advani, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among others who paid respects to the leaders of the country.

This year is celebrated as the centenary year of the launching of Satyagraha by the Mahatma.