SHIMLA/NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh on Thursday joined the nation in paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu describing him as a visionary leader who laid the foundations for India’s technological transformation and strengthened grassroots democracy.
Sukhu paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at Sadbhavana Chowk in Chhota Shimla and recalled his contribution to the country’s telecommunications, computerisation and Panchayati Raj systems.
“Rajiv Gandhi was a Bharat Ratna awardee, former Prime Minister, great human being, thinker and architect of India’s telecommunications, computerisation and Panchayati Raj systems,” Sukhu said.
The Chief Minister said Rajiv Gandhi is remembered as one of the architects of modern India whose vision for information technology and telecommunications continues to benefit the younger generation.
He also administered the Sadbhavana pledge to those present and later led officers and employees at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat in taking a pledge for national unity and communal harmony.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr (Col.) Dhaniram Shandil, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs Sanjay Awasthi, Suresh Kumar and Harish Janartha, Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan and other senior leaders and officials were present.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with senior party leaders, paid tributes at the Central Hall of Parliament House.
The nationwide tributes marked the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, who served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and is credited by his supporters with pushing India towards computerisation, telecommunications and administrative decentralisation.
