New Delhi, May 21 (IANS): Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary was on Thursday observed as "anti-terrorism day" to generate awareness about the danger of terrorism.

"The objective behind the observance of anti-terrorism day is to wean away the people from terrorism and violence," said a statement issued here by the union home ministry.

"The day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people about the danger of terrorism and violence and its effect on the people, society and the country as a whole," it added.

On the occasion, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh administered the pledge against terrorism to the officers and staff of his ministry and the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions at North Block.

Gandhi was killed at Sriperumbudur near Chennai at an election meeting by a woman suicide bomber of the now vanquished Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam from Sri Lanka on this day in 1991.

He served as the prime minister from October 31, 1984, to December 2, 1989.