Panaji, Goa:
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of Anti-Terrorism Day, remembering his vision, leadership and immense contribution towards nation-building, democracy, peace and technological advancement in India.
The programme was attended by GPCC President Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, former GPCC President Francisco Sardinha, Vice Presidents M.K. Shaikh, Tulio De Souza, Sunil Kawthankar and Subhash Phaldesai, General Secretaries Savio D’Souza and Jitendra Gaonkar, GPCC Media & Communication Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Seva Dal President Rajan Ghate, Youth Congress President Archit Naik, Nehru Bal Manch Chairperson Pelajia Raposo, Sudhir Kandolkar, Gurudas Natekar, Chirag Naik, District Presidents Rajesh Verekar and Shashank Narvekar, along with several office bearers and Congress workers.
The programme commenced with the garlanding of the statue of Rajiv Gandhi at Rajiv Gandhi Medical Complex, Bambolim. An oath for peace, communal harmony and against terrorism was administered by GPCC President Amit Patkar and solemnly repeated by all those present.
Subsequently, a tribute meeting was held at Congress House, Panjim, where floral tributes were offered to the late Prime Minister.
Addressing the gathering, GPCC President Amit Patkar, former GPCC President Francisco Sardinha, Vice President Tulio De Souza and Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar highlighted the visionary leadership and historic contributions of Rajiv Gandhi to the nation and to Goa.
The speakers recalled Rajiv Gandhi’s pioneering reforms including strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions, empowering women through reservation in local self-government bodies, expanding the Information Technology and computer revolution, modernising India’s telecommunications sector, and granting voting rights to youth at the age of 18. They stated that his progressive vision laid the foundation for a modern and digitally empowered India.
In his address, Amit Patkar appealed to the people of Goa to uphold the values of unity, peace and democracy. He stated that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is tirelessly working to fulfil the vision and dreams of Rajiv Gandhi and called upon citizens to support the ongoing fight to safeguard democracy and constitutional values in the country.
Senior Vice President M.K. Shaikh compered the function, while Vice President Subhash Phaldesai proposed the vote of thanks.
