Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, describing him as the "architect of modern India" who inspired the country to dream big.

In a Facebook post, Satheesan said Rajiv Gandhi could not be remembered "without a sense of sorrow" and hailed his contribution in steering India towards modernity and scientific progress during his short tenure as Prime Minister.

"He dedicated his youth to the nation and taught India to dream," the chief minister said.

Satheesan also said Rajiv Gandhi, along with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and their succeeding generations, had resisted the "politics of hatred" through their lives.

Calling Rajiv Gandhi the "architect of modern India", he said many of his decisions bore the imprint of "love, humanity and secularism".

"Veer Bhumi is not just an energy source for the Congress, but for the nation itself," Satheesan said, referring to Rajiv Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi.

He concluded the post by offering "salutations before those radiant memories".

Earlier, at the KPCC office, floral tributes were paid as part of the observance of Rajiv Gandhi's martyrdom day.

Chief Minister Satheesan, KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala attended the event.