Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Nov 19: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 98th birth anniversary across the State today.
An impressive function was organized by the party here today which was presided over by PCC chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir. Senior leaders of the party including legislators, senior functionaries and members of frontal organizations attended the function held at Shakti Nagar.
While paying tributes the senior PCC members described Indira Gandhi as an iron lady under whose leadership the country emerged stronger and witnessed all round development. As the woman Prime Minister of the country, she was symbol of women empowerment in the country.
On this occasion, some veteran leaders of the party who worked for the party at different levels and in different capacities during Indira’s time, were felicitated. They included Amrit Malhotra-former Chairman J&K Legislative Council, former MP Dharam Pal Sharma, The Puran Singh-Ex-MLA Billawar, Com Bhola Ram-former president DCC Rajouri, Com Jaswant Singh, a well known Gandian & Trade Unionist.
The PCC also organized an essay competition on the life & contribution of Indira Gandhi, in which around 5,000 children up to 16 years of age from various parts of Jammu province participated. A jury comprising academicians and a senior journalist adjudged the best write ups. Those ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd besides ten other top participants were presented the awards of excellence and token amount of cash reward.
The children who were adjudged best and awarded on the occasion include first award to Manik (Class 9th) of SNS Vidya Mandir (DBN School) Talab Tillo Jammu, second award to Mudassir Malik (Class 10th) of UP Hr.Sec. School, Channi Himat, Jammu & third award to Dheeraj Jasrotia of KK Vidhalaya, Hr Sec School, Billawar, Kathua.
Paying rich tributes to Late Gandhi, PCC chief described her as a dynamic, bold and visionary leader under whose stewardship, the county witnessed all round development in every sphere and emerged stronger in all respects in the World. She provided an able leadership to the country and enhanced its position and strength in the community of nations. She was symbol of women empowerment in the country.
Mir said that she entered the historic Shimla accord after the crushing defeat of Pakistan and libration of Bangladesh besides entering the Indira-Sheikh accord, which laid the foundation and the contours of the resolution of the Kashmir problem apart from strengthening the democracy and mainstream politics in the State.
CLP leader Rigzin Jora, senior leaders Amrit Malhotra, Dharam Paul, Madan Lal Sharma, Sham Lal, Mula Ram, Jugal Kishore, G M Saroori and others recalled her historical contributions in the form of Shimla agreement, which binds Pakistan to settle all outstanding issues with India including Kashmir through bilateral means, strengthening of Non Alligned Movement (NAM) in the world, besides librating Bangladesh for which here leadership was commended by Atal Behari Vajpayee also which is biggest tribute to her.
Prominent among others present included Ch Akram-MLA, Mumtaz Khan-MLA, Naresh Gupta-MLC, Sham Lal Bhagat-MLC, Th Hari Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Rajnesh Sharma, Dr Manohar Lal, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Manjit Singh, Manmohan Singh, Vikram Malhotra, SS Channi, Ch Shahnawaz, Namrata Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Indu Pawar (Mahila Congress), Th Shiv Dev Singh, G L Chalotra, KC Bhagat, Ashok Kumar Dogra, BS Sambyal (Seva Dal), Shiv Kumar Sharma-INTUC, Neeraj Kundan-NSUI, Kuldip Verma, Anil Chopra, Subash Gupta, Ashok Gupta, MK Bhardwaj, Maheshwar Singh, Ashok Sharma, Abid Kashmiri, Neeraj Gupta, Ashwani Puri, Srinder Guptaand Manjit Singh Jatt.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, PCC leaders led by senior leader Taj Mohi-ud-Din paid tributes Late Gandhi in a function held at Srinagar. Paying tributes Late Gandhi, the speakers said that in 1959, Indira Gandhi was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress. She was one of the political advisors of Jawaharlal Nehru and after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru on May 27, 1964, Indira Gandhi decided to contest elections and eventually elected. She was appointed as the in-charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Describing Indira Gandhi a visionary and a strong lady, the speakers said that Indira Gandhi was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest political leaders of India. She was the first and only woman to be elected as the Prime Minister, who never compromised on her principles, they said. Senior leaders Mohd Muzaffar Parray, Farooq Andrabi, Abdul Gani Khan, Khemlata Wakhloo, Shameema Iqbal, Irfan Naqib and others were also present.
Another similar function was organised at DK Pora in Anantnag under the leadership of former PCC president Peerzada Mohd Sayeed. While paying glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Peerzada recalled her achievements and contributions as Prime Minister and Congress president. Peerzada termed her a great visionary and a greatest political leader of the country, who sacrificed her life for the sake of integrity of the Nation.
General secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, District president Anayatuallh Rather and Shaheena Nadaf were also present.
Similar functions were held at Udhampur, Nowshera, Kathua, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda and other parts of the state where rich tributes were paid to Late Indira Gandhi. At Udhampur senior party leaders Brij Mohan Sharma, Geeta Khajuria, Syed Shakeel Sha, Ashwani Khajuria and others paid rich tributes during the function.
Rich tributes were paid to Mrs Gandhi by Congress leader Shamsher Singh Bhandari at Kishtwar during a function today.
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