States Watch

TRIBUTES PAID TO INDIRA GANDHI

NEW DELHI: The nation paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, on 31 October on her 20 th death anniversary. The day was observed as Anti-Terrorism Day and was marked by functions and blood donation camps across the country.

In the capital, the day began at her samadhi, Shakti Sthal, where the top political leaders converged to offer floral tributes and take part in an all-religion prayer meeting.

While a wreath was placed on at Shakti Sthal on behalf of the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Vice President, Shri Bhairon singh Shekhawat, offered floral tributes.

Prominent among those present were at Shakti Sthal were the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. She was accompanied by her children, Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Besides, a large number of Congress Ministers in the Cabinet, Members of Parliament and the Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, were also present.

Later, many of them attended a programme at 1, Safdarjung Road, residence of the former Prime Minister _ since converted into a memorial _ where she was gunned down by her security personnel.

Similar functions were organized in various parts of the national capital. In many buildings, particularly in the premises of State Governments, Indira Gandhi's portrait was placed at vantage points for people to offer floral tributes.

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Handicap Service Cell paid rich tributes to former prime minister, late Indira Gandhi on her 20 th death anniversary. The Cell president, Shri Mahendra Kochhar spoke of the role of Indira Gandhi played for the development of the nation and of her supreme sacrifice for the nation. On the occasion people were treated for hearing impaired and were given hearing aids. Shri Uttam Parekh, Shri Abdul Wahid Kureshi, Shri Dilip Sinha, Shri Sukhchand were among those who were present.

JAMSHEDPUR: The Congressmen offered floral tributes to Indira Gandhi on her 20 th death anniversary on 31 October at the Tilak Library. On the occasion, AICC member, Shri Rajesh Kumar Shukla, DCC president, Shri Ramashay Prasad, Sardar Mahendra Singh, Shri Sanatan Majhi, Shri Hari Mukhi, Shri Ravish Kumar Sehgal, Shri Rakeshwar Pandey, Shri Muniruddin Gaddi, Shri Samrendra Ghosh, Shri Vijay Srivastava and others offered floral garlands to the statue of Indiraji.

ANUPPUR (M.P): The Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Congress (INTUC) organized various programmes on the occasion of the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Rajiv Gandhi and the death anniversary of late Indira Gandhi paid tributes to them.

DEHRADUN: The Mahanagar Congress Committee organized the 20 th death anniversary of Indiraji here on 31 October as `Shakti Diwas'. Congressmen offered floral tributes at the statue of Indiraji. On the occasion Committee president, Shri Lal Chandra Sharma accounted the great deeds of Indiraji.

Those present at the function were Shri Surendra Nagpal, Shri Harshvir Mehta, Shri Tikaram Pandey, Sardar Jagmohan Singh, Shri Manmohan Sharma, Shri Jagdev Yadav, Shri Rajendra Khurana and Shri Pramod Munshi.

TRIBUTES TO PATEL

Tributes were paid during the day to the `Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 129 th birth anniversary. A function was organized at the Central Hall of Parliament and was attended by the Prime Minister and many of his Cabinet colleagues.