MT News Service
Jammu, May 21:
The Congress party on Friday paid tributes to Bharat Ratna and Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Congress office in Jammu to observe his 30th death anniversary. Former Minister J&K Yogesh Sawhney, General Secretary PCC and PCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, accompanied by other Congress leaders hailed Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to nation-building and his leadership and paid floral tributes to pay homage to his martyrdom. They observed two minutes of silence in his name and remembered him as a true patriot and a visionary leader who laid ideals of unity and progress in India. To mark this day, Sawhney and Ravinder Sharma, along with other Congress leaders, also distributed Sanitization Kits at Kusht Ashram in Bhagwati Nagar keeping in mind the ongoing fight with the COVID-19 pandemic. The material distributed was obtained by Rajesh Gupta, General Secretary DCC Jammu (U). The sanitization kits consisted of immunity boosters, sanitisers, face masks, and other essential items which were distributed among 40 families today.
As per press statement issued to mercury times, Sawhney said that the former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi had always upheld through his words and actions the principles of unity, brotherhood and kindness. He had sacrificed his life on this day for the country. To pay respect to his liberal and philanthropic ideals, PCC and district Congress leaders across J&K and frontal organisations of Congress at their own levels, in every district of Jammu, will reach out to patients battling with the coronavirus and their attendants in order to help them. He said that food and essential items will be delivered to those in need and sanitization kits will also be distributed. He further added, “During these worrying times, I urge all the people of Jammu to stay at home as much as possible and only go out when necessary”. He also appealed to the people to adhere to the health advisories issued by the government and strictly follow COVID guidelines to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Also speaking at the occasion, PCC Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said that keeping in mind the ongoing situation of COVID, the party is making efforts to provide as much aid as possible to the affected people. He recalled the contributions of the young Prime Minister who brought a new era for the youth of India through his youth-driven policies such as lowering the age for voting from 21 to 18, as per mercury times. During his tenure, many progressive steps were taken by his government to take India upward and forward. The 73rd and 74th amendments strengthened the democratic base of the country through third-tier governance in the form of Panchayati Raj. He took important steps in giving due representation to SCs, STs, minorities and especially women, which was a key contribution of his governance, the good results of which we reap today. Above all else, his most important contribution was in the development of computerisation and the IT revolution which hailed modernism into India. The young people today should remember him and his ideals as they take the country forward. With his wisdom, he took steps to make the country self-reliant. Today on his death anniversary we salute him with admiration and gratitude, he added.
Other leaders who accompanied Yogesh Sawhney and Ravinder Sharma were Dr. Ramakant Khajuria, Rajesh Gupta, Atul Sharma, Surinder Dogra, Shida and others.
