Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) and various other organizations paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi in various functions organized on his 70th birth anniversary today.
The PCC organised main function at the party headquarters, Shahidi Chowk Jammu in which several senior party leaders and members from PCC, DCC, BCC and ward committees participated. PCC vice president, Th Hari Singh presided over the function. Senior functionaries, Ex-MP Dharam Paul Sharma, former Minister Mula Ram, MLC Ravinder Sharma, Ex-MLA Om Chopra, Ex-MLA Shiv Dev Singh, PCC general secretary Vinod Sharma, Dr Rashid Choudhary and others also paid their tributes to Late Rajiv Gandhi.
The speakers recalled the contributions of the Late Rajiv Gandhi and asked partymen to follow his ideals. They referred to his achievements in strengthening Panchayati Raj system, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years and taking information technology to new heights in the country. They remembered and referred to his efforts to achieve peace in various parts of the country during his period through dialogue and settled various issues and situations confronting the country. He was a symbol of peace and harmony, they added.
Birth anniversary function of Late Rajiv Gandhi was also organised at Akhnoor where Minister for PHE and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma was the chief guest. Mr Sharma described Late Gandhi as visionary leader of 21st century who brought technological and IT revolution in the country. He also recalled the sacrifices of Rajiv Gandhi and maintained that he laid down his life for the cause of the country.
Pradesh Youth Congress also organised a function in the party office here to pay tributes to late Rajiv Gandhi. PYC vice president Pranav Shagotra presided over while Uma Shanker Paney, secretary IYC and incharge J&K was the chief guest. Senior PYC leaders Abid Kashmiri, Satish Sharma and Rajveer Singh were also present and spoke on the occasion. They recalled the contributions of Late Rajiv Gandhi and said that real tributes to this great visionary leader would be to follow his foot steps. Mr Pandey described Late Gandhi as architect of Panchayat Raj system in the country and said that with his efforts democracy could percolate up to grass root level.
Pradesh Congress Seva Dal also organised separate function under the leadership of B S Sambyal to pay tributes to Late Rajiv Gandhi today. Several other Seva Dal members including S S Jamwal, Dr M L Rao, JK Koul and Pushpa Sharma were present on the occasion.
In Kishtwar, Congress committee members held a function under the chairmanship of Randeep Bhandari in which the participants paid tributes to the departed leader. The speakers highlighted the achievements of Late Rajiv Gandhi and paid floral tributes. Suman Thakur, Seri Chand, Subash Chander and Raj Kumar were also present.
Rajiv Gandhi group of Colleges, Kathua organised an impressive function in connection with the birth anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi in the institution. On this occasion chairperson of the group Anu Dogra, Principal Dr G P Sachdev and other staff members and students paid tributes to Late Rajiv Gandhi and recalled the contributions of departed leader. They described Late Gandhi as visionary leader who brought great revolution in the field of IT sector in the country.
NSS Unit of MIER College of Education commemorated the birth anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi which is being celebrated as Sadbhavna Divas. Dr Renu Gupta Director MIER Group of Institutions was the chief guest. HoDs of all the wings of MIER College participated in the function. NSS Programme Officer Rohinika Sharma spoke on the life and contributions of Rajiv Gandhi. It was followed by an `Oath ceremony’ in which all the staff members and students participated taking pledge to work selflessly and maintain communal harmony.
NSS Unit of Govt Degree College Kishtwar, celebrated Sadbhavna Divas with a pledge of outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony and national integration. Dr K K Sharma presided over the programme while Dr Ashiq Hussain graced the occasion as chief guest. Prof S K Sen was the programme coordinator.