London, Oct 3 (PTI): President Pratibha Patil today led the Indian community abroad in paying homage to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 142nd birth anniversary.

Patil, who is in Geneva on a State Visit to Switzerland, offered flowers at the statute, where a group of Indian children sang 'Ram dhun'.

In the UK, leading dignitaries, including the Mayor of Camden Councillor Abdul Quadir, gathered at Tavistock Square in central London to mark the day, also celebrated globally as the International Non-violence Day.

After garlanding the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, Quadir referred to the outstanding achievements of the Mahatma and said "he came to moralise politicians".

Acting High Commissioner Rajesh Prasad said, "Gandhiji's message of Non-Violence is relevant even today."

He noted that the United Nations General Assembly announced on June 15, 2007 that October 2 would be celebrated as the International day of Non-Violence.

Devotional songs were sung at the function organised by India League.

In Moscow, Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra and the local Indian community paid floral tributes to the Father of the nation.

In spite of chilly autumn morning the members of the community gathered at Gandhi monument at the Indian Embassy compound.

The students of Embassy School sang Gandhiji's favourite bhajans advocating the harmony of various faiths.

In Nepal, top leaders of the country, including Maoist chief Prachanda and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, stressed on the need to follow the foot steps of Mahatma Gandhi in order to take forward the stalled peace process and complete the task of drafting a new Constitution in the country.