India headed for victory: PM
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA, July 4 — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, declared here today that India was heading towards victory in the Kargil and Dras sectors.

Mr Vajpayee, who was addressing a gathering at Srimadbhagawadgita Sadan to celebrate the birth centenary of the late Gulzari Lal Nanda said Indian jawans had created 'new traditions of sacrifice in saving the country from the clutches of the invaders'.

He called upon people to stand by the fighting forces forgetting political and ideological differences as the spirit of unity was essential to win the war.

In a nostalgic mood the Prime Minister said standing on the land of "Dharamkshetra-Kurukshetra", he was remembering the jawans who were fighting for the territorial integrity of the country in inhospitable conditions.

Paying rich tributes to the late leader Mr Vajpayee regretted that corruption today had become part of the establishment. This impression, he said, was based on his experience as Prime Minister during the past 13 months.

He commended the efforts of Gulzari Lal Nanda in creating institutions like the Reforms Commission and the Vigilance Commission for eradicating corruption. Another such institution was Sadhu Samaj. It was created so that the sadhus could contribute for the uplift of the society and raise their voice against social evils. He said the late leader wanted Indians not to blindly follow religion. Instead, value system of religion needed to be imbibed in the society. The Prime Minister said public money should be utilised for the welfare of the people.

Mr Vajpayee described Gulzari Lal Nanda as 'satya purush'. He maintained that India needed such personalities today.

The Prime Minister recalled the services of Gulzari Lal Nanda for organising the labour movement and his contribution in the field of economic planning.

Mr Vajpayee announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for completing the work of renovation of Brahm Sarovar. He also declared that the Union Government would not lag behind while meeting the financial obligations of completing the project. He commended the efforts of the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal and Gulzari Lal Nanda for making Kurukshetra what it was today.

Mr Mahabir Prasad, Governor, Haryana, said Gulzari Lal Nanda worked for the uplift of the down trodden and was an epitome of justice and equality. He called upon the rich in the country to liberally donate towards the activities of the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB). The Governor wanted the audience to take a vow to work for the welfare of humanity by taking a leaf from the life and works of the late leader.

The Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, while recalling his association with the late leader and his simplicity became emotional and wept profusely on the stage itself.

He maintained that Gulzari Lal Nanda did not believe in doing wrong to anybody and was keen to bring equality amongst various sections of society. He was 'the messiah' of the labour class.

Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resources Development, while recalling the personality traits and selfless service of Gulzari Lal Nanda for the society said that such personalities were needed today.

The Prime Minister on arrival at the specially constructed helipad on the Kurukshetra University campus, was received by the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Vice-Chancellor, the Chief Secretary and the DGP.

Later Mr Vajpayee visited the samadhi of Gulzari Lal Nanda and planted a sapling there. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Gulzari Lal Nanda Memorial complex after laying a wreath at the samadhi. The Prime Minister also visited the Brahm Sarovar along with the Union Minister and other dignitaries.

In the auditorium the seating arrangement was not satisfactory. Ms Kailasho Devi, INLD, MP from Kurukshetra had a tiff with the Deputy Commissioner Mr Sidhi Nath Rai on seating arrangement. A number of senior officers of the state had to remain standing while BJP workers had occupied most of the seats reserved for the VIPs in the front row.

PTI adds: The Prime Minister released a postal stamp on Gulzari Lal Nanda concluding the year-old centenary celebrations of the Bharat Ratna recipient.