New Delhi, Dec 28 : The Congress launched its year-long 125th anniversary celebrations here Monday, and the theme was 'Building the Future on the Foundation of the Past', but the party's youth icon and future leader Rahul Gandhi was not present, surprising many.

The function of the country's oldest political party was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders of the Congress Working Committee.

Asked about the reason for party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's absence, a Congress leader said he was on a "pre-scheduled visit" to central India and was busy in party work.

But his absence was noticed by Youth Congress members of whom some felt Rahul Gandhi's presence on the occasion would have been "appropriate and relevant".(IANS)