New Delhi, Jan 30 : India paid homage to ''Father of Nation'' Mahatma Gandhi on his 61st death anniversary, which is also observed as Martyr''s Day.

The main ceremony took place at Rajghat, Gandhi''s memorial.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil will inaugurate a ''Leprosy Seal Campaign'' and an ''Anti-Leprosy Fortnight''. Several other welfare programmes will also be launched in rememberance of Gandhi.

Meanwhile, events have been organised in Gujarat, Gandhi''s birthplace. Prayers will be offered at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, from where Bapu started his Dandi March in 1930.

Mahatma, a practitioner of non-violence and truth, was instrumental in ending British Colonial rule in India.

He was born on October 2, 1869 and was assassinated on January 30, 1948. (ANI)