Asserting that the verdict of Bihar elections reflected the mood and feelings of the entire nation, Jammu and Kashmir Congress Chief G A Mir today said the state's electorate have shown the way to people of the country.
"The verdict of Bihar elections has reflected the mood and feelings of the entire nation," Mir said while addressing a gathering of Congressmen, who paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 98th birth anniversary here today.
"The electorate of Bihar have shown the way for the people of the country to follow," he said.
He asked party cadres to remain steady on the principles and path shown by forefathers and great leaders, and together strengthen the party at all levels besides gearing up for the upcoming elections to the grassroot institutions of democracy as and when held in the state.
He referred to the prevailing atmosphere in the country and said that Congress would continue to play the vital role of a unifying force, like in the past, and would not deviate from its path of secularism which means respecting the sentiments and aspirations of each and every section of our diverse society.
A function was organized here today which was presided over by Mir while senior leaders of the party including legislators, senior functionaries of the party and frontal organizations attended the function held at Afsar Guest House, Shakti Nagar Jammu.
Floral tributes were paid to the former Prime Minister on the occasion by the senior Congress leaders, who described her as Iron lady under whose leadership the country emerged stronger and witnessed all round development and progress. She was also the symbol of women empowerment in the country.
Paying rich tributes to Gandhi, Mir described her as a dynamic, bold and visionary leader under whose stewardship, the county witnessed all round development in every sphere and emerged stronger in the world.
"She provided an able leadership to the country and enhanced its position and strength in the community of nations," he said.
Mir said she remained committed to the principles of secularism and laid special emphasis to the poverty alleviation and social security programmes in the country.
She was symbol of women empowerment in the country and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of women in every sphere of life, he added.
Mir said Gandhi entered the historic Shimla accord after
the crushing defeat of Pakistan and liberation of Bangladesh besides entering the Indira-Sheikh accord, which laid the foundation of the resolution of Kashmir problem apart from strengthening the democracy and mainstream politics in the state.
Mir said such was Indira Gandhi's contributions that it was being said that "Indira is India's and India is Indira".
Mir referred to her last speech wherein she had said that every drop of her blood would strengthen India. She laid down her life for the unity and integrity of the nation and remained strong on the principles of secularism, which is basic strength of a pluralistic nation.
The JKPCC had organized an essay competition on the life and contribution of Indira Gandhi, in which about 5,000 children up to 16 years of age from various parts of Jammu province contributed their essays and write ups.
Those ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd and ten other top participants were presented the awards of excellence and token amount of cash reward.
