Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 31 Oct: Congress leaders and workers today paid tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary and to the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his birth anniversary at a programme organised at the Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Dehradun.
In the presence of Pradesh Congress Committee president Ganesh Godiyal and Pradesh Congress Election Campaign Committee chairman Pritam Singh, senior Congress leaders and party workers offered floral tributes to the portraits of the two national leaders and remembered their contributions to the nation.
Addressing the gathering, Ganesh Godiyal said that Indira Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel made unparalleled contributions towards nation-building and strengthening the country’s unity, integrity and democratic values. He said that through her decisive leadership, courageous decisions and visionary outlook, Indira Gandhi helped India establish a strong identity on the global stage.
Referring to Patel, Godiyal said that with his exceptional leadership and firm resolve, he integrated the princely states and laid the foundation of a strong and united India. He said that people should draw inspiration from the ideals, thoughts and dedication of both leaders and reaffirm their commitment to following the path shown by them.
Pritam Singh said that attempting to describe the contributions of the two leaders was akin to showing a lamp to the sun. He said their contribution extended far beyond India and that both occupy a distinguished place in world history. According to him, Indira Gandhi gave India a new identity on the global stage through her determination and leadership, while Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strengthened the country’s unity and integrity through his foresight and indomitable will. He said there was a need to imbibe their values and continue working for the protection of national unity, communal harmony and democratic traditions.
Among those present at the event included Pradesh Congress Committee Organisation General Secretary Rajendra Singh Bhandari, former MLA Rajkumar, vice-presidents Sujata Paul and Lal Chand, general secretary Ashwini Bahuguna, Dehradun Mahanagar Congress president Jaswinder Singh Gogoi, Pradesh Congress general secretary Abhishek Singh, Garima Mehra Dasauni, Scheduled Caste Cell president Madan Lal, Surendra Rangarh, Lalit Badri, Ritesh Joshi, Yashpal Chauhan, Raghubir Bisht, Pratima Singh, Amarendra Bisht, Sandeep Pandey, Harikishan Bhatt, Suraj Chhetri, Abhinav Thapar, Arjun Kumar and a large number of senior Congress leaders, office-bearers and party workers.
