SHIMLA: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi, various leaders, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, paid heartfelt tributes to his contributions to modern India.
Rajiv Gandhi is remembered as a visionary leader who laid the foundation for India's technological and communication revolution, earning him the title of the "Father of Information Technology and Telecom Revolution in India." said Sukhu.
He along with President Congress Pratibha Singh paid tributes to Gandhi at Sadbhawana Chowk here today
Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister saw significant advancements in several areas:
1. Telecom Revolution:He initiated the establishment of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in 1984, which played a crucial role in revolutionizing India's communication networks, including the spread of PCO booths across rural areas. This significantly improved connectivity across the country.
2. Computerization and Technology: Rajiv Gandhi's policies led to the modernization of industries like defense, airlines, and telecommunications.
His push for computerization in various sectors, including the Indian Railways, marked the beginning of a new technological era in India.
3. Voting Age Reform: One of his landmark decisions was reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years, empowering the youth and ensuring their active participation in the democratic process, Sukhu said.
4. Panchayati Raj Institutions: Although formalized after his assassination, Rajiv Gandhi laid the groundwork for decentralizing governance through the Panchayati Raj system, thereby strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.
5. Education Policy: His government introduced the National Policy on Education in 1986, which aimed at expanding and modernizing higher education.
The establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across India was part of this initiative, offering free residential education to rural students.
Congress Rajiv leaders said Gandhi's untimely death at the age of 46 cut short his transformative journey, but his legacy continues to inspire the nation.
His vision of a progressive and modern India remains a guiding light for future generations, said Congress leaders.
