J&K Pradesh Congress Committee organized an impressive function at PCC HQ. here today to celebrate the 100th Birth Anniversary of veteran Congress leader Girdhari Lal Dogra.Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Guest on the occasion while President JKPCC Mr. Ghulam Ahmed Mir presided over the function, which was attended by senior functionaries of PCC, office bearers of Districts and frontal organizations like Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, Seva Dal, NSUI and INTUC.
Prominent leaders who paid floral tributes include former MP Madan Lal Sharma, Senior Vice President Sham Lal Sharma; Vice Presidents Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, Kanta Bhan,; Chief Spokesman Ravinder Sharma; Suman Bhagat, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, Sdr. Manjeet Singh, Ch. Shah Mohammad, Manmohan Singh, Namrata Sharma; Babu Singh, Subash Gupta, Smt. Indu Pawar-President Mahila Congress; Y.B.Sharma, M.K.Bhardwaj, M.A.Goni, Girdhari Lal Chalotra-Ex-MLA, Shiv Dev Singh-Ex-MLA, Maheshwar Singh, Darshan Raina, Subash Bhagat, Krishan Chand Bhagat-Ex-MLA, Kuldip Raj Verma.Paying rich tributes to Shri Dogra, Leader of Opposition & Senior Congress leader Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad described him as a truly committed congressman who was dedicated to the cause of poor and down trodden irrespective of caste, creed, colour, region or religion. He said that he was one of tallest leaders of his time who rose from a humble background and always remained committed to the principles of secularism, socialism and democracy.
Azad said that Shri Dogra played his role for establishment of democracy in the state and worked for promotion of peace and harmony in the state throughout his life. Above all he was a good human being who was respected by one and all.
Recalling his long association with Shri Dogra, Shri Azad appreciated that those who differed with his political ideology are also remembering him on his 100th death anniversary, which is a tribute to his philosophy of life and the principles he lived for.Shri Azad appreciated the JKPCC for its decision to hold year long celebrations in different parts in the state on the life and contribution of Shri Dogra. He also advised the PCC to identify other great leaders of different parts and regions in the state, who contributed a lot in the state and worked for the strengthening the Congress party . He said that PCC should hold programme to educate the younger generations about the role and contributions of those leaders during their time to strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood.President JKPCC in his address paid floral tributes to Shri Dogra and remembered his contributions to the state and the congress party during his long political career. He (Dogra Sahib) served the state in different capacities as Member of constituent Assembly, Minister for Finance for about 27 years and twice Member Parliament. He was very respectable leader of the party who had direct assess to the Congress high command. His simplicity and commitment to the ideology of the Congress party would be always remembered.
Mr. Mir said that the Prime Minister Shri Narinder Modi and other senior leaders of different parties are remembering Shri Dogra’s contributions and philosophy of life, which is a matter of great satisfaction to the Congressmen and followers of Dogra Ji’s teachings.PCC President announced that PCC has decided to hold functions during the year in connection with his 100th year of birth anniversary, in different parts, to educate the masses especially younger generations about the role and contribution of Shri Dogra Ji.He said that former MP and Senior Congress leader Mr. Madan Lal Sharma will head PCC Committee in this regard. He said that already PCC has constituted a committee headed by Vice President and former minister Shri Mula Ram to hold year long functions in connection with the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, as per directions of AICC.Mr. Mir asked the partymen to follow the principles and philosophy of G. L.Dogra to strengthen secularism and unity and integrity of the state.Shri Anil Chopra-President DCC Jammu (Urban) conducted the proceedings of the function.
Other prominent leaders who attended the function included Secretaries PCC Rajni Bala, Vijay Manhas, Shamsher Singh Chib, Shashi Sharma, Thomas Khokhar, Soba Singh, Pawan Raina, Nirdosh Sharma, Manjit Singh Jatt, Anuradha Andotra, Kulbir Singh, Ashok Dubey, Ashok Sharma, Salman Nizami, Pawan Singh, Aswani Puri, Neeraj Gupta, Nadeem Sharief Niaz, Ashok Gupta-President DCC Udhampur, Balwinder Sambyal-Chief Organisor Seva Dal; Pranav Shagotra-President PYC; Neeraj Kundan-President NSUI; Shiv Kumar Sharma-President INTUC, Ch. Sukh Dev Singh, Jai Singh, Uttam Singh, Sanjeev Sharma, B.B.Gupta, Madan Lal Malagar, Mansa Ram, P.S.Chouhan, Dr. Ramakant Khajuria, Pawan Dev Singh, Chanchal Popli, Vijay Sharma, JL Kaul, Pawan Sharma, Govrav Chopra, Ashwani Handa, Naresh Mani, Parshotam Mehra, Babloo, Kartar Singh, Manmohan Sharma, Om Prakash, Chamail Singh, Parveen Singh, Som Nath, Babu Singh, Vijay Chib and Sunil Kumar.