Karra Hails Indira Gandhi as Symbol of Women Empowerment on Her 107th Birth Anniversary
Congress Celebrates Indira Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary; Leaders Recall Her Legacy of Empowerment and Vision
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Nov 19: The Congress party marked the 107th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with a series of events across Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting her contributions to nation-building, women empowerment, and secularism. The main function was organized at the Congress headquarters in Jammu, led by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra, with senior party leaders and workers in attendance.
The day began with floral tributes to Indira Gandhi at her statue at Indira Chowk in Jammu, in a ceremony organized by the Congress Seva Dal. Prominent leaders including Tara Chand, Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram, Ravinder Sharma, and others participated in paying homage. Later, a formal function was held at the party office in Shaheedi Chowk, where leaders reminisced about Gandhi’s unparalleled legacy.
In his address, Tariq Hameed Karra described Indira Gandhi as a towering stateswoman and a beacon of women empowerment. He credited her for launching numerous welfare programs aimed at uplifting the poor and marginalized while steadfastly upholding the principles of unity in diversity and secularism. Karra highlighted her pivotal role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and the historic Shimla Agreement, which he said restrained Pakistan from internationalizing the Kashmir issue. He urged the public to stand united against communal and divisive forces threatening the fabric of the nation.
Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla echoed similar sentiments, calling Gandhi a visionary leader who played a crucial role in strengthening India’s defense capabilities. They underscored her commitment to women’s empowerment, reflected in landmark constitutional amendments such as the 73rd and 74th Amendments, which guaranteed 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Other senior leaders, including Mula Ram, Balwan Singh, Ch. Lal Singh, Jahangir Mir, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, and Yash Pal Kundal, recounted Gandhi’s extraordinary contributions to nation-building. Speakers highlighted her courage in navigating India through challenging times and her enduring legacy as the “Iron Lady of India.”
In Srinagar, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) also held a commemorative function, presided over by DCC President Irfan Naqib. Party members, including Abdul Gani Khan, Nissar Ahmad Mundoo, and Shameema Raina, paid floral tributes and celebrated Gandhi’s transformative leadership. Speakers lauded her visionary policies, which propelled India toward self-reliance and economic strength, and her unyielding commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty.
Participants praised her resilience in addressing both external and internal threats and emphasized the need to uphold the values she stood for. “Indira Gandhi’s leadership not only ensured the country’s progress but also unified its diverse populace,” noted one of the speakers.
Similar events were held across districts including Rajouri, Udhampur, Kathua, Baramulla, Anantnag, Shopian, and Kulgam, where Congress leaders and workers honored her memory and reaffirmed their commitment to her ideals.
The celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir reflected the Congress party’s recognition of Indira Gandhi’s indelible mark on India’s political and social landscape, particularly as a symbol of strength, courage, and inclusivity.
