The Congress on Saturday paid tribute to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, describing her as a symbol of courage, resolve and visionary leadership, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi offered floral tributes to Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only woman prime minister, at her memorial, Shakti Sthal, in New Delhi.
Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with several Congress leaders, also paid homage at the Indira Gandhi Memorial at 1, Safdarjung Road, the former prime minister’s residence.
Rahul Gandhi shared a Sanskrit shloka taught to him by his grandmother. “Sitting on your lap. Holding both your hands. Listening to your voice say these words. Repeating them after you. Asato m sadgamaya tamaso m jyotirgamaya mtyorm amta gamaya. OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. What a beautiful gift you gave me Dadi. What a gift. I never imagined,” he said.
Kharge described Indira Gandhi as a symbol of indomitable courage, unwavering resolve and visionary leadership. He said her immense contribution to building a strong and progressive India remained an enduring legacy.
“Her supreme sacrifice for the unity and integrity of our nation will forever be etched in our collective memory,” Kharge said in a post on X in Hindi, according to PTI.
In another post, Kharge shared a quote by Indira Gandhi and called her an eternal source of inspiration. “Her dedication to safeguarding the unity, integrity, and honour of the nation, and her invaluable contribution to the making of modern India, will forever remain alive in our national consciousness,” he said.
“Her courage is our inspiration, her sacrifice our indelible memory,” Kharge added.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tribute to her grandmother. “What a beautiful woman she was! Free as the sky, deep as the ocean, resilient as the earth and brighter than fire,” she said.
In a post on its official handle, the Congress said, “On the death anniversary of India’s first woman Prime Minister, a symbol of indomitable courage and willpower, Smt. Indira Gandhi ji, humble tribute.”
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917. She was assassinated by her bodyguards in New Delhi on October 31, 1984. Congress leaders marked her death anniversary by remembering her leadership, contribution to modern India and sacrifice for the country’s unity and integrity.
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