New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Sunday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, saying Gandhi was the "conscience of the nation" and Shastri an "impactful figure in Independent India".

Sonia said: "The principles he laid for Indian national movement redifined freedom struggles all over the world."

She remembered Gandhi as the principal guiding personality, who led and inspired India and indeed the entire world with his eternal philosophy of non violence, compassion, human dignity and commitment to the last human on the margins.

Expressing hope in young men and women of the 21st century, Sonia prayed that Gandhian thoughts and deeds will forever continue to guide an entire generation on the path of truth, equality, justice and universal progress.

October 2 is the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who is also known as the "Father of the Nation" and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of the country.

Defining Shastri as an impactful figure in Independent India, Sonia said: The highest standards of propriety in public life and commitment to build a self reliant and strong India is his legacy."

"Clarion call of 'Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan' given by him resonates even today in every nook and corner of India."

Remembering Shashtri's commitment to the Congress and freedom struggle, Sonia described him as an organisational genius who served the party and nation relentlessly till his last breath.