Sukhu, Pratibha pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on birth anniv

Shimla, August 20

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, state Congress president Pratibha Singh and party men today paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

Sukhu offered floral tributes at the statue of the former PM at Rajiv Chowk in Chhota Shimla here. The day was observed as Sadbhavana Diwas and the Chief Minister administered a pledge to the officers and officials of the Secretariat.

He said Rajiv Gandhi was also known as the architect of modern India. “It is on the demand of the NSUI that Rajiv Gandhi granted the right to vote to the youth by reducing the age to vote from 21 years to 18 years, ensuring active participation of youth in the democratic process. It was the greatest achievement of his tenure,” he added.

Sukhu said it was due to the foresightedness of Rajiv Gandhi that India made rapid strides in the IT sector, laying the foundation of modern India. He said that when America declined the request to provide supercomputers to India, then he took decisive steps to ignite an IT revolution in the country. He said it was Rajiv Gandhi who provided 33 per cent reservation to women in panchayati raj institutions.

HPCC president Pratibha Singh, ministers Dhani Ram Shandil and Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mohan Lal Brakta and Sanjay Awasthy, Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan were also present on the occasion.