Nation pays homage to Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary
New Delhi:The nation today paid homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 92nd birth anniversary. Born in a politically active Nehru family, she was the Prime
Minister for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from
1980 until her assassination in 1984. A number of functions and welfare programmes
were organised across the country as a mark of respect. A religious prayer
meeting was held this morning at Shakti Sthal, her memorial. An annual sports
marathon organised in the name of Gandhi has also begun in Allahabad. Over 4000
participants took part in the event.
The residents of her constituency Rae Bareli also held functions to pay
tribute to the former Prime Minister. Indira Gandhi contested the Lok Sabha elections from here and remained Prime Minister for three consecutive terms. The locals recalled all
efforts made by Indira Gandhi to develop the constituency. "Be it sugar mill,
textile mill, all of them which are on the verge of closing down owing to lack
of developmental policies of the non congress government of Uttar Pradesh, were
installed because of Indiraji. We had no infrastructure, power water nothing she
developed the place. Sonia Gandhi (the current Member of Parliament from Raebareli
and Chairman of the Congress Party) is also working on those lines," said Kusum
Singh, a local. "She instilled pride in us and inspired to lead a life of dignity.
Leaders have made history but she altered geography. She created a new nation
state when she promoted formation of Bangladesh," said Ram Sewak Chodhary, a veteran Congress leader.
