Brain-storming Camp-Pachmarhi, Sept., 1998
Inaugural Address of the Congress President
4th September, 1998

Member of the Congress Working Committee, the Chief Minister, delegates, brothers and sisters. First of all, I welcome you all to this Brainstorming camp.

We have gathered here at a time when our country is passing through severe crisis. We shall sit here together to discuss vital issues concerning our party. We will hold serious deliberations on them.

The Congress party is a great national institution and we all take pride in being part of it. We have to lay stress on how we can bring an awakening into this great organisation. This is our commitment.

I would like camps of this kind to be organised regularly at the national and other levels. We have so much in our lives today, but little scope for looking back; do serious thinking and self-introspection. We need all those three things. We have an opportunity, in this beartiful place, to do some quiet thinking. We must make use of it. Papers about the issues that will be discussed thoroughly in this camp have been supplied to you.

The camp will discuss, specially, the political, agricultural, national, international matters and those concerning the organisation. In the next three days, besides the discussions, we shall review our activities and make plans for future, We can tackle fast the crisis and hurdless in our way by inducting-freshness in the party.

Our party has been serving the people since the days of Mahatma Gandhi. We should remember what Gandhiji said-political work can be done only by adhering to ideals and morality. We must remember that programmes, plans and preparations for elecion always go on in a political party. The party should remain alert about its doctrines, programmes and conduct.

I hope that we will gain a lot from this camp, which will be an achievement for our party. Your will recall that five months ago, at a programme in Delhi, I had spoken about inducting a new force and strengthening the party. For this purpose I had constituted a task force under the chairmanship of Mr. P.A. Sangma. I am happy to tell you, here today, that the task force has done commendable work. Several of its recommendations have been implemented after their approval in the Congress Working Committee meeting held in Delhi last June.

Some of us often see only the dark side. I have neither complancence nor pessimism will behave us. We have to look forward to the future. We have to learn from the past, not remain stuck with it. I can now see a new discipline and goal in our method of working. A beginning has been made to induct a new work-culture in the AICC and the Pradesh Congress Committees. This will go on. No organ of the Congress Party will remain inactive. New programmes are being given to the frontal organisations. These include both political and social compaigns. A committee has been constituted for amendments in the party consitution. It has to pay special attention as to how tribals, minorities, backward and women can be given a larger role in the organisation. The cmmittee will soon be submitting its report. Programmes have been launched to impart training at several levels and giving a boost to the party. This way workers will get new knowledge and also political education. The conduct and discipline committees have begun their work. I keep myself informed about it.

We have launched a monthly journal called ‘Congress Sandesh’ from August 15. It will be sent to all members of the PCCs and the AICC. The next issue is devoted to the Pachmarhi's brainstorming session.