Glowing tributes paid to Indira Gandhi

Vijayawada: Paying glowing tributes to the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in connection with her 101st birthday celebrations at the State Congress headquarters, Andhra Ratna Bhavan, here on Monday, several leaders of the Congress party recalled the unforgettable services Indira Gandhi rendered during her tenure both as prime minister and president of the party.

Dr N Tulasi Reddy, vice-president of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) hailed the services Indira Gandhi who sacrificed her life for protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. He said that Indira Gandhi led the democratic, socialist and secular Congress party, which is the largest in the world for seven years as its president and 16 years as the prime minister.

Recalling the reforms Indira Gandhi introduced in the country, he said that programmes like Garibi Hatao, nationalisation of commercial banks, 20-point programme, Green Revolution, abolition of privy purses to the princely states, distribution of surplus land to poor, winning war against Pakistan were the greatest achievements.

Taking a cue from her, the successive Congress governments introduced various welfare schemes Indiramma housing, Indiramma Bata, Indira Jalaprabha, Indiramma Abhaya Hastam, Amruta Hastam, Amma Hastam, Arogyasri, 108, 104 Mee- Seva, fee reimbursement for students, Bangaru Talli and others, he said.

Dr Tulasi Reddy lamented that the Modi government at the Centre and the Chandrababu Naidu administration in the State moved away from welfare schemes causing hardships for the people.

He said that Congress should return to power both at the Centre and the State to bring back the glory of the past and every Indian should work in that direction which would be the real homage to the great leader Indira Gandhi.

Vice-presidents MJ Ratna Kumar, general secretary Misala Rajeswara Rao, party’s offficial spokespersons PY Kiran Kumar, Nimmala Jyotika, secretaries Bhanu, Lakshmana Rao, city presidents V Gurunatham and Indira, Venna Ramesh Babu, K Vijaya Rao, Khurishida, Nageswara Rao, Durga Prasad, Salim, Ghouse and others were present.