Himachal Congress leaders remember Rajiv Gandhi on his 81st birth anniversary

In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Congress leaders and people paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 81st birth anniversary. His birthday is observed as Sadbhavana Diwas, a day dedicated to promoting peace, harmony, and goodwill. On this occasion, the Speaker of the Himachal Assembly led the Sadbhavana pledge before the House proceedings began. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Pratibha Singh were among those who attended the events.

Chief Minister Sukhu offered floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at Sadbhavana Chowk in Shimla. He also administered an oath of national unity and communal harmony to officials at the Himachal Secretariat. The pledge-taking ceremonies were aimed at reminding people of Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of a united and inclusive India.

During his address, Sukhu described Rajiv Gandhi as the “architect of modern India,” a leader who sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country. He recalled how Rajiv Gandhi’s forward-looking ideas led to major changes that still benefit the nation today.

Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for modern India

Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s role in bringing the information technology revolution to India. He explained that Rajiv’s policies in the 1980s laid the foundation for the IT boom, which has now made India a global technology hub. The CM said that the younger generation is enjoying the results of Rajiv Gandhi’s efforts, as technology today drives innovation, employment, and education across the country.

Sukhu also called Rajiv Gandhi a social reformer. He reminded everyone about the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, introduced during Rajiv’s time, which gave a strong boost to local self-governance. These amendments ensured that women received reservation in panchayati raj institutions, giving them a platform to participate in decision-making at the grassroots level. According to Sukhu, this was one of the most significant steps in empowering women in rural India.

Continuing this vision, Sonia Gandhi, years later, played a key role in ensuring that the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, providing 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. Sukhu said this step would open the doors of leadership to more women, strengthening democracy and ensuring balanced representation.

HPCC president Pratibha Singh also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi. She said the progress visible in India today is rooted in his vision decades ago. According to her, his ideas have shaped policies that continue to benefit youth and inspire new generations. She called him a leader who believed in change, modernization, and the involvement of young people in building the nation.

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Message of peace and harmony

The celebration of Sadbhavana Diwas in Himachal was not just about remembering the past, but also about spreading the message of peace and goodwill in society. By taking the Sadbhavana pledge, legislators and officials promised to uphold values of unity, compassion, and communal harmony. The message was clear — India’s strength lies in its diversity and respect for all communities.

The tributes also highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice, as he lost his life in 1991 to terrorism. Leaders emphasized that his legacy of promoting national unity, empowering women, and modernizing India must be carried forward. They urged the youth to follow his path of vision, courage, and service to the nation.

In Himachal Pradesh, the day ended with a strong reminder of Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to building modern India. From bringing computers into schools and offices, to ensuring that rural women got a place in decision-making, his efforts were seen as building blocks of the country’s growth story. For Congress leaders and supporters, remembering Rajiv Gandhi was not just an act of respect but also a call to continue working for the values he stood for.