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| Nation’s strength lies in unity in diversity: Azad | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, May 21: Paying tributes to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 31st death anniversary, Senior AICC Leader and Former J&K Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad said he sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country.
He cautioned the people against the politics of hate, stating that it is dangerous for the unity and integrity of the nation.
Addressing a function organized by JKPCC, Azad said former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of the country and did not compromise on the principle of unity in diversity and the national interests.
“The strength of the nation lies in unity in diversity and the spread of hate amongst the society is weakening the nation,” he said and added, ‘Congress and its leadership always promoted religious brotherhood and harmony in the society as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh unity is very vital for the strength of our pluralistic nation.”
He recalled the contributions of Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister on various fronts especially in the field of science and technology and Panchayat Raj system in the country, which are his biggest gifts to the nation.
He recalled that Rajiv Gandhi called him to his residence in 1987, when he (Azad) was General Secretary of the party and showed him the first computer.
He introduced Computers and IT in the country as a result several top dignitaries of the world, used to visit Hyderabad to learn about IT and computers.
“Today India is the leader in the World in the field of IT and Computers because of the timely lead taken by Rajiv Gandhi and it provided the biggest source of employment to the youth in the country and abroad,” said Azad adding that Rajiv Gandhi gave the Panchayat Raj system to the Country whereby women got 33 percent reservation besides SCs and STs at each tier of Panchayat Raj regime in the country.
He said it transformed and percolated down the democracy to the grass root level.
He said Rajiv Gandhi was a visionary leader who had vision for the youth of the Country and prepared them for the challenges and opportunities of 21st Century.
Azad said Congress always gave capable and visionary leadership to the Country right from Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narsimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh, who took the country to the newer heights of progress and all round development.
He asked the party cadres to work for the peace and harmony and strengthening of Congress party to fight the communal and divisive forces and defeat politics of hate.
JKPCC President G.A. Mir paid tributes to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and recalled his great contributions in nation building.
Mir said Rajiv gave the direction to the India of 21st Century and the youth of the country could face the challenges due to the orientation and opportunities offered by his visionary leadership.
“Revolution in the field of telephones, computer and IT are all the gifts of Rajiv’s vision,” he added.
He said the democracy at grass root level and to the door step of people was introduced by Rajiv Gandhi by 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution. The PR system got constitutional status in the country with regular elections and 33 percent representation to women and SC/STs at each levels.
He recalled the contributions of Congress in the building of the nation and criticized those distorting facts and misleading the people being ignorant of Congress history.
Mir asked the party leaders that it is time to pay back to the party and strengthen it, which is the need of the nation.
He said party leaders should rise above their self interests and work for the strengthening of the party, as resolved in the Udaipur Chintan Shivar.
He announced that a similar Shivar of J&K leaders would be held at Patnitop on June 1 and 2 to discuss the strategy and roadmap for strengthening party in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Working President Raman Bhalla paid rich tributes and recalled the visionary leadership of Rajiv Gandhi who was the youngest Prime Minister of the Country and gave priority leadership to the youth including lowering of voting rights from 21 years to 18 years. |
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