Amma Bhojnalaya is tribute to Indira, says Harish Rawat

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 19

Chief Minister Harish Rawat today inaugurated Indira Amma Bhojnalaya at Transport Nagar in Dehradun today as a mark of tribute to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary.

The Chief Minister said Indira was one of most popular leaders of her times. She always had a deep concern for the poor and deprived and the start of canteen to provide cheap food to people was a right tribute to her.

He asserted that his government was committed to working for the betterment of women in the state and Indira Amma Bhojnalaya was also meant to strengthen self-help groups. He said 1,800 women constables would be recruited in the state police. Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal and other district administration officials were also present.

Indira Amma Bhojnalayas were also opened in Tehri and Uttarkashi districts in the Garhwal division. Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat inaugurated the bhojnalaya on the Ladari road in Uttarakashi district. He said the canteen would provide self employment to women self-help groups across the region as also cheap food to people. Around Rs 10 per thali of food would be given as subsidy to the self-help groups for running the canteen. Poor people would get the thali of food at the nominal cost of Rs 25, he added.

Narendar Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal said such public welfare schemes of the government would benefit poor people in the long run. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey was also present.

Later, Harak Singh Rawat inaugurated another Indira Amma Bhojnalaya at Chamba in Tehri district.

Indira always worked for uplift of poor: Shri Kunj

Dehradun, November 19

Tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 98 birth anniversary here today. Mahanagar Congress Committee members garlanded a portrait of Indira at a function organised at Subash Ghat here.

President of the Mahanagar Congress Committee Anshul Shri Kunj said Indira was a visionary and dynamic leader who was concerned with the development of the poor and lower strata people of society.

Shrikunj said post-1971 war, the then Leader of the Opposition Atal Bihari Vajpayee had termed Indira as an ‘incarnation of Goddess Durga’ owing to her political charisma, understanding of international matters and economic and foreign policy matters.

 Former legislator Ambrish Kumar said Indira’s political decision during the war with Pakistan in 1971 to liberate East Pakistan and Bangladesh was borne, which proved strategically vital in coming years.

 Senior Congress leader OP Chauhan said Indira’s involvement with her father Jawaharlal Nehru proved vital in her emergence as a mass leader. She proved her mettle when she was Information and Broadcasting Minister and said she had the capability to lead both Congress and country.

Youth leader Bharati Taneja said the decision of tightening privy purse, nationalization of banks and ruling India as Prime Minister for 15 years spoke about her tough character.

Veteran leader Sanjay Chopra and BS Tejiyan said Indira had a spiritual connection with Haridwar city and she often used to visit Maa Anandmayee Ashram to seek spiritual solace and peace. — TNS