Naidu releases postage stamp in former PM IK Gujral's honour

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 4

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Friday virtually released a commemorative postage stamp to honour former Prime Minister IK Gujral on his 101st birth anniversary.

Naidu recalled the former prime minister's contributions to the country, including the "Gujral Doctrine".

Recalling the yeoman services rendered by Gujral to the country's progress, Naidu described him as a "great son of a great country".

Naidu said the former premier was well endowed with endearing qualities of head and heart, and his courteous attributes had won him friends across-the-board.

He said in public life there are "rivals", not "enemies"- a lesson which the present generation of politicians should imbibe.

Referring to the protean attributes of Gujral, Naidu said he was "soft-spoken", " a gentle politician", "courteous to a fault", but one who never compromised on his high principles.

The younger generation should take inspiration from the life and principles of Gujral.

He referred to the "Gujral Doctrine" -- a clutch of organising principles for coordinating better relationships with smaller countries. Everyone should abide by the country's policies.

Gujral was the progenitor of these principles as External Affairs Minister when Deve Gowda occupied the prime minister's post.

Naidu, however, underlined that foreign policy cannot be static and it evolves in a dynamic situation.

He said India is facing cross-border terrorism like every other nation.

The South Asian nations must eradicate the scourge of terrorism.

Naidu lauded the farmers of the country for their determination in pursuing their avocation of agriculture against all odds during the Covid-19 enforced lockdown and made a case for helping them, including remunerative prices for their crops.

Underlining the contribution of farmers, Naidu said, "We must address their problems."

He pitched for remunerative prices for their crops and infrastructural support.

"Work have been done...more needs to be done."

Naidu batted for gender-equality and wanted more women participation in governance and policymaking to take the country forward.

He noted that women were underrepresented in state Legislatures, Parliament and Judiciary.

"Quality is defined not by physical attributes, but cognitive faculties."

Rajya Sabha member of the SAD, Naresh Gujral said the former premier joined public life from his student days.

Former Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Tarlochan Singh, who had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposing the commemorative postage on Gujral, thanked the Union government.

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