CM Sukhvinder Sukhu, Congress Leaders Pay Tribute to Former PM Rajiv Gandhi on His Death Anniversary

Shimla, May 21:
On the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with State Congress President Pratibha Singh and other senior Congress leaders, paid floral tributes at his statue at Sadbhavna Chowk in Chhota Shimla.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Sukhu highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s visionary role in shaping modern India. “Rajiv Gandhi made an unparalleled contribution to building a forward-looking India in the 21st century. He sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the nation. Long before the digital age became a reality, he envisioned an India empowered by information and communication technology,” he said.

The Chief Minister also credited Rajiv Gandhi with empowering women through 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions and providing access to quality education in rural areas through the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. “Today, many of those students are serving in key positions across the country,” he added.

Sukhu further mentioned that several developmental projects in Himachal are being run in Rajiv Gandhi’s name, including the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools, which aim to deliver quality education from pre-nursery through senior secondary levels.

In a separate context, addressing the ongoing demand to ban apple imports from Turkey following the country’s support to Pakistan during recent heightened tensions, CM Sukhu stated that instead of an outright ban, the import duty on Turkish apples should be increased. He assured that he would raise this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi on May 24, and that a memorandum regarding this demand has already been submitted to the PM through the Governor.