New Delhi, May 21 -- Expressing deep disappointment over the current political and social direction of the nation, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday stated that the vision of a modern, secular India envisioned by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is "not being built now."

Speaking to reporters on Rajiv Gandhi's 35th death anniversary at his 'Vir Bhumi' memorial in Delhi, Aiyar slammed visitors for reducing the occasion to mere slogan-shouting while completely ignoring the late leader's core principles.

"I see many people come here and raise slogans for him, but they don't read the inscriptions written here about his life, ideology, and achievements," Aiyar said. "The India he wanted to bui...