NEWS
Jack
Straw Calls on Sonia Gandhi
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The
British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Jack Straw, with the
Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, at her residence
in New Delhi
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NEW
DELHI : The visiting Foreign Secretary of U.K.,
Mr. Jack Straw, called on the Congress President, Mrs. Sonia
Gandhi, on 29 May, and invited her on behalf of the British
Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, to visit the United Kingdom.
He apprised Mrs. Gandhi of his discussions with the Pakistan
President, Mr. Pervez Musharraf.
The
British High Commissioner, Mr. Rob Young, and senior members
of the High Commission accompanied Mr. Straw. The CWC member,
Mr. Natwar Singh, assisted Mrs. Gandhi. Mr. Straw reportedly
told Mrs. Gandhi that Mr. Blair and his Government were
in favour of India and Pakistan resolving their differences
bilaterally.
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The
U.S Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage,
with the Leader of the Opposition, Smt. Sonia Gandhi,
in New Delhi on 7th June, 2002.
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Mrs.
Gandhi conveyed to Mr. Straw India's concern over cross-border
terrorism and the violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Her party
supported the Government in the standoff against Pakistan.
It believed that the two countries would eventually
have
to settle their problems through negotiations.
Congress
Backs Dr. Abdul Kalam
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The
presidential candidate, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, calls
on the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, at her
residence in New Delhi on 17th June, 2002.
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NEW
DELHI : The Chief Spokesman of AICC, Shri Jaipal Reddy,
announced on 13 June, 2002 that the Congress Party "after
extensive consultations, has decided to support the candidature
of Dr. Abdul Kalam for the high office of the Rashtrapati
of India". Shri Reddy said "having due regard
to the totality of the circumstances we have decided to
support the candidature of Dr. Abdul Kalam."
He
said "we always have positive and proactive approach.
We do not adopt a reactive approach. He said while the Congress
President was authorized by the Congress Working Committee,
the Congress President had extensive consultations and ascertained
the opinions of every member of the CWC and many senior
leaders including Chief Ministers.
Dr.
Kalam, 71, has done the country proud on many fronts. A
grateful nation honoured him with the "Bharat Ratna",
the country's highest civilian award, in 1997.
Dr.
Avul Pakir Jainulabhudin Abdul Kalam, was born on October
15, 1931, at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. He did his B.Sc.
at the St. Joseph's College, Tiruchi, and DMIT in Aeronautical
"Engineering at the MIT, Madras, during 1954-57. He
joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation
in 1958. During 1963-82, he served the Indian Space Research
Organisation in various capacities.
As
Project Director, SLV-3, he was responsible for carrying
out design, development, qualification and flight testing
of 44 major sub systems. In 1982, as Director, DRDO, he
was entrusted with the Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme. He conceived the programme, constituting five
major projects, for meeting the requirements of the defence
services and for establishing re-entry technology.
The
development and successful flight of Prithvi, Trishul, Akash,
Nag and Agni established the indigenous capability towards
self reliance in defence preparedness. The successful launch
of Agni surface-to-surface missile was a unique achievement
which made India a member of the exclusive club of highly
developed countries.
Prophet's
Birthday
Following
is the text of the press release issued by the Congress
President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, on 25 May, 2002 :
The
birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed is a major event for
Muslims throughout the world. Its celebration in India has
a special flavour of pious devotion and festive spirit.
That the celebrations have retained their vitality and participation
of people from all religions is a tribute to the devotion
of how religion unites us all in India.
Anil
Shastri
NEW
DELHI : AICC Chief Spokesperson Jaipal Reddy announced
on May 2, 2002 that Mr. Anil Shastri continues to be Secretary
in the AICC and member of Media Committee, apart from being
Editor of Congress Sandesh.
B.D.
Jatti is Dead
Bangalore
: B.D. Jatti, former Vice-President and acting President,
who was admitted to a hospital here following abdominal
pain and vomiting, died on 7th June, 2002.
He
is survived by wife, three sons and a daughter. Mr. Jatti
was the acting President between February 12, 1977 and July
24, 1977, after the demise of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
He was the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry between 1968 and
1972 and also the Governor of Orissa between 1972 and 1974.
He was 89.
During
his long and eventful political career spanning over five
decades, he was the Chief Minister of erswhile Mysore between
1958-62. He served as private secretary to the Minister
of Bombay B.G. Kher for two years and was appointed as Deputy
Minister for Health and Labour in the Government of Bombay,
and held this position till the reorganisation of states.
The
Karnataka Government declared a three-day mourning as a
mark of respect.
Tirpude
Dead
MUMBAI
: Nasikrao Tirpude, veteran Congressman and former Maharashtra
Deputy Chief Minister, who championed the cause of a separate
Vidharbha State, passed away here on 19 May at the Bombay
Hostipal.
He
was 82 and is survived by his son. Rajkumar, daughter-in-law
and grandchildren.
Lone's
Death Condoled
Following
is the text of the press release issued by the Congress
President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, on 21 May, 2002 :
I
have been shocked by the news of the assassination of Shri
Abdul Ghani Lone. He was among the Kashmiri leaders who
was in favour of a dialogue for resolving differences among
the various groups. For a number of years he was member
of the Congress Party and also a Minister.
His
untimely death leaves a void in the political arena of Jammu
and Kashmir. I send my sincere condolences to the members
of the bereaved family.
