Rich tributes were paid to Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, on her 100th birthday in an impressive function held at Indira Chowk here.PCC, president Ghulam Ahmed Mir along with other senior functionaries of Pradesh Congress, legislators, former Ministers and leaders of District Congress Jammu, Block wards and frontal organizations paid floral tributes and garlanded her statue and offered flowers.Addressing the gathering, PCC chief paid floral tributes to Late Indira Gandhi and recalled her contributions in the freedom struggle, especially when entire top brass of Congress party, was arrested in 1942 during ‘Quit India Movement’, she took upon the leadership of freedom movement.Mir recalled the bold leadership of Indira Gandhi, as she led the nation to great heights in the world and took courageous decisions in her life for the might of the nation. He said the country progressed on all fronts and faced numerous challenges successfully. He lashed out at those forces who are trying to belittle the role and great works of top stalwarts of Congress especially Nehru – Gandhi leadership for political vested interests.
He said the present BJP regime led by Modi is making every effort to distort the historical facts to divert the attention of the nation from contribution of Congress and its great leaders.Mir lashed out at the BJP and Modi Govt for their attempts to tarnish the image of the Congress party and its leaders by distorting history and said that time has come to strengthen the ideology and principles followed by the Congress and its great leaders for strengthening the secularism, socialism and inclusive democracy. He disclosed that Congress would organize series of programmes throughout the year in order to observe 100th birth anniversary celebration of Indira Gandhi.Senior leader and formers Minister Sham Lal Sharma while paying tributes recalled her contributions and bold steps for which nation remembers her as an iron lady. He decried attempt to re-write history to distort the facts to mislead the people about the role of Congress stalwarts.Nawang Rigzin Jora CLP Leader recalled her role as a leader of international repute, who raised the esteem of the nation by her foresighted decisions and dynamic leadership.
Raman Bhalla described her leader of firm determination and great courage who took revolutionary steps during her leadership of the country and sacrificed her life for the unity and integrity of the country.GM Saroori JKPCC Vice President while paying tributes recalled her commitment to the principles of secularism and unity in diversity and remembered her steps to uplift the poor in the country.Jahangir Mir, Dy Chairman LC explained the qualities of her leadership and her love and affection for the poorer sections and rapport with the party cadres.Others who paid tributes included Mohd Akram, Indu Pawar, Balwan Singh, Yogesh Sawhney, Anil Chopra, Faqir Nath, Ch Shah Nawaz, GL Chalotra, Shiv Dev Singh, Krishan Bhagat (ex-MLAs) Kuldip Verma, DCC Presidents Ashok Gupta, Arun Sigh Raju, Smt. Zahida Khan, YV Sharma, BS Sambyal, Neeraj Gupta, Pawan Raina, Manjit Singh Jatt, Thomas Khokher, Krishan Lal Gupta, Anuradha Andotra and others. (KNS)