Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 2: Pradesh Congress and various other organizations paid rich tributes to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary across the State today.
Pradesh Congress Committee celebrated Gandhi Jayanti in a grand function organised at Chander Bhaga, Canal Road here today. District president of the party for Jammu urban, Ex-MLA Om Chopra presided over while former DyCM and senior vice president of PCC, Pt Mangat Ram Sharma, Ex-MP Dharam Pal Sharma, MP Madan Lal Sharma, Ministers Sham Lal and R S Chib, M L C Ravinder Sharma besides other senior leaders attended it.
While paying tributes to Gandhi ji, senior Congress leaders remembered his great contributions, who led the freedom movement of the country and achieved it through non-violence means. His philosophy of non-violence, peace and brotherhood is becoming more relevant with every passing day as the entire world looks towards Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and philosophy for guidance. The United Nations has declared October 2 as International Non-Violence Day, recognizing the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi for the world peace and harmony.
The senior PCC leaders threw light on various aspects of the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his message for the countrymen and the entire mankind. He gave the message of equality and justice to all. Secularism is strength of our nation. Ministers Sham Lal and R S Chib also recalled the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and asked the Congressmen to following his principles.
They also recalled the contribution of Late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and paid rich tributes to him. They said Shastriji was symbol of honesty and simplicity. He was a man of high values and principles. His slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan reflected his statesmanship and the respect enjoyed by him in the hearts of countrymen.
Prominent among others present on the occasion included former Minister Mula Ram, Gulchain Singh Charak and Prem Sagar Aziz, Th Hari Singh, Kuldip Verma, Swarn Lata, Shah Mohd Choudhary, Shiv Dev Singh, Kanta Bhan, Parkash Sharma, Ashwani Puri, Pardeep Parihar, Shiv Kumar Sharma, D S Langeh, Manmohan Singh, S S Shangari, Pt Jagan Nath, Hari Singh Chib and K L Gupta.
In yet another function organized in connection with Gandhi Jayanti at Canal Road near CID Hqs, Congress MP Madan Lal Sharma said that opposition parties were trying to woo the electorates on the issue of Panchayat. He said Congress believes in empowerment to Panchayats and Central leadership has given its clear message over it. He said the Coalition Government must understand the gravity of situation by implementing 73rd and 74th Amendment in Panchayati Raj Act. He also projected the issue of refugees and ex-servicemen.
MP Lal Singh in a function organized at Town Hall Udhampur paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. The function was organized by Rahul Gandhi Brigade and District Congress leaders. A large number of office bearers and party workers were present. Besides Lal Singh, Sanjay Pandey, Rajeev Gupta and other leaders spoke on the occasion. The MP also attended another function organized at Old Age Home, Dhar Road Udhampur and paid tributes to Gandhiji.
In Ramnagar, Pradesh Youth Congress paid tributes to Gandhiji in a function organized under the leadership of R S Pathania, State general secretary of PYC. A large number of youth Congress activists paid their rich tributes to Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Basides, Mr Pathania, other leaders also addressed the gathering.
Congress Seva Dal organized a separate function in this connection at the party headquarters Jammu today. State chief organizer B S Sambyal presided over. He recalled the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and termed him greatest leader of the world. Another function was organized by Seva Dal district unit Jammu under the leadership of Vipin Nischal at Gandhi Nagar today. They paid rich tributes to Gandhiji and recalled his contributions for the freedom movement. Seva Dal activists also paid tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri and termed him a dynamic, honest and simple leader. Harinder Singh, Akshat Sharma, Vishal, Naveen Nischal, Sanjeshwar Singh, Sonu Dutta and others were also present.
Youth Congress unit, Samba organized a function in connection with Gandhi Jayanti at Town Hall, Samba under the leadership of senior leader Vinod Kumar. The speakers paid tributes to Gandhiji and resolved to follow the teachings of Gandhiji. They said teachings of Mahatma Gandhi were most relevant in day today life.