Jammu: Congress today remembered the contribution of Bharat Ratan Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister on his 77th birth anniversary by holding several functions at different places in Jammu province.
The main function was held at PCC HQ Jammu, which was attended by several senior functionaries and senior leaders of PCC, DCC and frontal organizations. Prominent among them included.
Vice President JKPCC Raman Bhalla (Former Minister) presided over the function which was attended by senior PCC functionaries, leaders of Dist. Congress Committee, Blocks and Frontal Organizations.
Paying floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi PCC Vice President Raman Bhalla described him as the architect of 21st Century, who prepared the youth of the Country for the challenges of 21st century in India, especially IT and Computer revolution, lowering of voting age from 21 years to 18 years and introduced a vibrant Panchayat Raj system in the Country.
Bhalla said it was vision of Late Rajiv Gandhi that he foresaw the future of the Country in preparing and educating youth of the Country for the 21st Century. He saw great opportunity in the IT revolution and introduced computerization in late eighties. The BJP leaders termed him as a “Computer Boy”. But today they talk of digital India, which became possible due to the efforts of Rajiv Gandhi. He said that Rajiv Gandhi lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years to ensure the participation of youth in the democratic & political process and emergence of young leadership. The vibrant Panchayat Raj System with 33% reservation to women and due reservation to SC/STs has ensured the transfer of power to the people. He said that 73rd /74th amendment was introduced and incorporated into the Panchyats & Urban bodies to establish elected three tier system in the J&K by the efforts of Congress in the previous coalition of NC-Congress in 2014.
Paying rich tributes to Rajiv Gandhi, former Ministers and General Secretary Yogesh Sawhney remembered his contribution to the nation in various fields. He recalled his visits to the state as General Secretary AICC and later as Prime Minister and recalled his affection for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sawhney paid glowing tributes to him by describing him as a young dynamic leader of the nation, who gave direction to the youth of the Country and brought about revolutionary step to strengthen democracy at grass root level. He asked the youth to follow the path shown by great leader.
Ravinder Sharma described Rajiv Gandhi as a visionary leader who led the nation to great achievements in various fields. He will be remembered for his youth policy to prepare them for the present day challenges. It was his efforts that India has emerged as leader in IT sector, today. He introduced revolutionary steps to empower women, SC & ST through 73rd and 74th amendment of the constitution besides lowering voting age from 21 to 18 years to give political power to the youth.
Several other speakers remembered the achievements of Rajiv Gandhi, as the youngest Prime Minister of the Country who led the youth to the path of progress and vision. They described him a visionary leader who introduced landmark steps in various fields. They criticized the present BJP Govt. for trying to remove his name from various schemes, projects and awards but said that no one can remove Rajiv’s name from the hearts of the crores of Indians for his contribution who martyred for the nation. They include Dr Ramakant Khajuria, Dwarka chowdhry (Corporator), Rajinder Singh Jamwal (Corporator), Satish Sharma, Sonu Dogra, Vijay Singh Chib, Atul Sharma, Chander Shekhar Sharma, H S Baggi, Amrit Bali, Vandana Sharma, Suman Choudhary, Rakesh Sharma, Jugal Sharma, Ram Magotra, Pawan Bhagat, Vinay Sharma, Gulshan, Surrinder Dogra, Pawan Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Garu Ram, St. Gurmeet Kour, Madhu Banraj, Suresh Dogra and others.