Sonia Gandhi Commemorates Rajiv Gandhi’s Legacy, Highlights Achievements and Commitment to Unity

New Delhi, August 21, 2023: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, speaking at the 25th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award ceremony, remembered the accomplishments of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi despite his “brutal” and untimely end. Sonia Gandhi praised Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to India’s progress, including his dedication to women’s empowerment and the implementation of measures such as 1/3 reservation for women in Panchayats and lowering the voting age to 18.

She emphasized that his ideals of communal harmony and national unity are more relevant than ever in the face of growing divisions and hatred in society. The event, attended by Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, marked Rajiv Gandhi’s 79th birth anniversary.

“Rajiv Gandhi’s political career was finished in a brutal manner but he achieved many milestones in that short time. He was very sensitive towards the diversity of the country,” Sonia Gandhi said. “Whatever time he got to serve the nation, he accomplished uncountable achievements. He was dedicated towards women’s empowerment.”

Sonia Gandhi also underscored Rajiv Gandhi’s commitment to India’s unity through the celebration of its rich religious, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity. She noted that he stood for the protection and conservation of India’s polymorphism. The ceremony, held at Jawahar Bhawan in Delhi, honored Banasthali Vidyapith with the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for 2020-21. The award was presented by former Vice President M Hamid Ansari.

However, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern about the growing forces of division and hatred in society and the support they receive from certain quarters. She called for renewed commitment to Rajiv Gandhi’s ideals of communal harmony and national unity.

The event concluded with floral tributes paid to Rajiv Gandhi by Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Congress leaders at ‘Veer Bhumi’ in Delhi.