Congress celebrates 121st foundation day

Seva Dal activists sings the national song 'Vande Mataram' as Sonia Gandhi arrives at the party headquarters.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several Union ministers and Congress leaders stood in rapt attention as AICC President Sonia Gandhi unfurled the party flag on Thursday to celebrate the party's 121st foundation day.

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Seva Dal activists sung the national song 'Vande Mataram' as Gandhi arrived at the party headquarters and unfurled the Congress tri-colour in the forecourt which was decked up with flowers and flags.

The brief function concluded with the recital of the national anthem.

After smart salute to the party flag, Gandhi walked up to Prime Minister Singh to greet him on the party's foundation day. She went about greeting ministers and party leaders who had come from across the country.

Gandhi also held a brief meeting with the leadership at her office in the party headquarters.

Later, the Gandhi and Singh walked up to the journalists and greeted them a happy new year in advance.

The Indian National Congress was founded by Scotsman Allan Octavian Hume on this day in 1885. The first session of the party, held at Mumbai between December 28 and December 31, was attended by 72 members.

Womesh Chandra Banerjee was the first president of the Congress.