FLORAL TRIBUTES TO INDIRA GANDHI

FLORAL TRIBUTES TO INDIRA GANDHI

31-OCT-ENG 18

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------At the 'Shaheed Bhawan' (Congress office) in Arrah, Congress members—led by City President Shakti Singh Manan—paid tribute to the late Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, on her 42nd death anniversary (observed as 'Shahadat Diwas' or Martyrdom Day), and to the 'Iron Man' of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—also a Bharat Ratna recipient—on his 151st birth anniversary. Floral tributes were offered to the portraits of both great figures. Media in-charge Virendra Mishra stated that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, through her courageous leadership, firm willpower, and dedication to the nation, played a pivotal role in the country's development and in establishing India's identity on the global stage. Meanwhile, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, through his foresight, indomitable courage, and unwavering resolve, made a historic contribution to the creation of a unified India by integrating hundreds of princely states. The sacrifice of Indira Gandhi and the nation-building contributions of Sardar Patel will forever remain a source of inspiration for the people of India. Both leaders prioritized the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty above all else; the country can only be strengthened by embracing their ideas and ideals. Mishra further remarked that the current Modi-led central government is ignoring these two great figures while trumpeting its own hollow claims of development—even though the very foundation of India's progress was laid by these individuals, who also established India's standing internationally. The achievements of these two great leaders can never be forgotten.

Those present at the event pledged to follow the path shown by these two great leaders and to strengthen the nation's unity, integrity, and social harmony. Those present at the event included Professor Nirmal Kumar Singh, Media In-charge Virendra Mishra, Rashid Imam Mintu, Chitranjan Munna, Youth Congress President Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Manoj Kumar Anjani, Ashutosh Thakur, Ranjeet Yadav, Saket Tiwari, Shrikant Rai, Sandeep Kumar, Shrikant Pandey, Lal Babu Sah, Ramendra Kumar Mishra, Mohan Prasad Gupta, Ranjeet Kumar, Arun Kumar Arun, and several others.