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21st
May 1991, Sri Perumbudur was rocked by a blast. Suicide attacker had succeeded
in their evil motives. They snatched away Rajivji from us and the progressive
movement of a developing nation was brought to a screeching halt. This was an international
conspiracy, that many top world leaders were afraid about. The then Palestinian
President Yasir Arafat had serious concerns about such an attack on Rajiv
Gandhi and so he had also warned him.
In
November 1990, mid term polls were declared in India. From the very beginning
it was clear that the mood of public was Pro Congress and Rajiv Gandhi was
likely to be the Prime Minister again.
During
Rajiv Gandhi’s Prime Minister rule , the neighboring country Sri Lanka was burning with
isolation and violence. To maintain the regional harmony and the sovereignty of
its neighbour Rajiv Gandhi’s government acted promptly.
Rajiv
Gandhi after signing a treaty with Sri lanka
“The
agreement holds out the promise of a strong, united, peaceful Sri Lanka which
is as much in our interest as it is in yours.It is the unity of hearts that
guarantees the unity of Nations. India
and Sri Lanka
have been the joint founders of the non alignment movement. Our commitment to
non-alignment grows out of our traditions and ethos of our freedom struggle.
Peace in our region depends crucially on all of remaining non aligned.”
No body
could’ve imagined that it would be so life threatening for him to desire peace.
The ‘Shaanti Sena’ sent by India
had destroyed the hopes of LTTE , that was set out to divide Sri Lanka. This
was a big jolt for LTTE chief Prabhakaran and he started planning the
assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. He was also perturbed by the possibility of
Rajiv Gandhi returning to power after Indian elections. From the beginning of
year 1991, LTTE terrorists had laid the foundation of Rajiv ji’s assassination.
After
the two dress rehearsals in local rallies , the attackers finally succeeded on
21 May 1991 in Perumbudur.
21 May
1991 became a black day in the history of India. The Sun had set even before
rising. His dreams also died with him, unfulfilled.
Wish his
dream had not died, Wish he had not died.
Rajiv
Gandhi was born in a politically active family yet he was an apolitical person.
His
entry to politics was circumstantial but when he took over the control, his
every move was of a mature statesman
ENTRY IN
POLITICS
31
October 1984
Like
every other day, the morning sun was cozy and the sunlight was filtering down
from the tree leaves. Like every other day, birds were out of their nests
flying high in the sky. But unlike every other day, when Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi was stepping out of her house, his bodyguards did not pay her the usual
respect, instead shot her down point blank. It was an end of an era by all ways.
Her death suddenly created a vacuum around. Everyone just had one question in
mind, who will fill this vacuum?
Rajiv
Gandhi rose to the occasion.
Because
his entry to Politics and power was circumstantial, the opposition doubted his
credentials but when he acted, every step became a milestone.
Rajiv
Gandhi , speech on 15 August 1985
“This
morning at 3 am, an agreement has been done between students in Assam and the
Government of India.”
Rajiv
Gandhi did not only gave a vision but also showed a great sensibility as a
Prime Minister when he made Anandpur Sahab issue an election issue pointing
that disinterest of opposition in maintaining the integrity of India. It should
also be noted that Congress has performed best ever under Rajiv Gandhi’s
leadership. In 1984 Lok sabha election , Congress got 412 seats, respected Atal
Bihari Vajpayee couldn’t even win the election.
As a
Member of Parliament he displayed immense maturity. It seemed as if he had been
in politics for a long time.
In his
not so long tenure, he proved the mettle of his vision and thoughts.
In the
20th Century, Rajiv Gandhi wanted the countrymen to eye at 21st
century and not 19th century. Probably that’s why we all know he
tried his best to propel the country ahead in the fields of Computer technology
and Science.
Rajiv
Gandhi emerged like a bright star on the sky of a developing India.
“Rajiv used to say that if we try to progress
in all the areas simultaneously, we might not be able to succeed. So we need to
focus essentially on some key areas where we are already equipped and where we
have a larger possibility of reaching the front ranks.”
Rajiv
Gandhi had equal amount of attention towards village development as well as
Computer technology advancement. He emphasized on Panchayati Raj strengthening
and simultaneously brought the country towards technological advancement.
Being
inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts on self reliance of Villages, he too
believed that the India of 21st Century can only be realized when
rural India is also developed.
Rajiv
Gandhi
We need
to change the scenario of rural areas and for that we need to change the lives
of farmers, workers. This is the only way out. We need to the farmers closer to
the use of technology, give them advanced equipments, give them newer variety
of seeds and teach them new irrigational methods. On the other side we will
also make sure that they get the right price of their production. This way we
are trying to help out the farmers.
Bringing
the 73rd Constitutional amendment, he also brought the idea of ‘a
government of the people, by the people, for the people’ into a real shape.
Rajiv
Gandhi
“After
the country got Independent, the constitution promised the resolution of
empowering the third strata of society. First and second is functional from Delhi ,or functional in
capital cities which is decently empowered after several elections. These can
not be moved now. But because the third strata is still weak , the weakness
passes on to the first and second strata too. People at the top strata become
paper lions. This way a complete hollow set up is built and that is what we
need to rectify.”
“For Rajiv ji Panchayati Raj and Women
empowerment were necessarily linked. He was exactly right when he thought that
Indian society cannot be democratized without women participation.”
In this
set up of Panchayti Raj, every strata of society got equal opportunities. Today
every level of society is a participant in the process of progress.
Today
India has a strong standing in the field of Information Technology throughout
the globe and the credit goes to Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv
Gandhi
“We need
to ensure that newest of technology is utilized and used at the rural level. We
need to befriend Science and technology to jump to higher notches.”
Narayan
Moorti , founder , Infosys
“He
raised the confidence of the nation. He emphasized on the role of technology,
Information Technology in particular. I think he showed to the world that he
had a dream, he ‘too had a dream’ as he said. We all got enthused by seeing a young,
idealistic and dynamic person. Rajiv Gandhi was one of the two people whose
death invoked great sentiments in me because he was Young, dynamic and he had a
vision for India for the future. He was an extraordinary leader and I think we
all are going to miss him. I wish he had lived longer”
Purushottam
Agrawal
“The
best part about Rajiv Gandhi’s vision was that he realized it very early that
in the progress of India, Information Technology is going to play a decisive
role. To realize this, to say this and to be joked about for this vision was
only possible for him because he was apolitical by thoughts and so he could say
what was right without being entangled by momentary politics.”
Decades
before, Rajiv Gandhi had imagined the world of today. During his tenure he
initiated a lot of programmes for the progress of technology.
Subhash
Kashyap
He laid
stress on the development of fields like Space research , Nuclear research ,
Genetic Engineering , Genetic Biology and
Computer software development.
Showing
focus towards these selected areas, he was instrumental in India’s success in
theses areas.”
Rajiv
Gandhi had the conviction to change his dreams into reality. He wanted to
development initiatives to be treated like a mission and so all his targets were
his missions rather.
Rajiv
Gandhi
“We have
devised a very special programme for Women. For the first time a perspective
plan is made that digs deep into the problems of Women in India and tries to
solve them.”
Purushottam
Agrawal
“Rajiv Gandhi’s emphasis on Panchayti Raj
explains the fact that he believed that in a country like India or for that
matter any country the real power ,be it political or administrative, cannot be
fully tapped and democratized without women “
Rajiv
Gandhi was not only interested in the technological development of the country
but he had equal interest in maintaining the national culture.
Rajiv
Gandhi
“I was
touring Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh for 3 days. Wanted to know how difficult life
is in these places. See the coincidence, It has snowed and now I know how
difficult it is for you.”
He
wanted the structure of development to be uniform and in sync with the national
culture.
Rajiv
Gandhi
“The
biggest problem is lack of discipline. Discipline everywhere, on the roads,
discipline in public and at a much higher
level discipline in the functioning of Governments. Central
Government, State governments. This is
where we need to tighten up.”
To
ensure Youth participation in the political system of the country, his
government lowered the age of voting from 21 to 18.
Rajiv
Gandhi
“Unemployment
is the problem of most young people in India and so we have brought down the
age of voting from 21 to 18.This will make your (youth) thoughts come up and
help in raising your voice, so that a government is formed that helps you”.
Subhash
Kashyap
“He
wanted that if democracy has to be a success, a common man’s participation is
must. It requires the real participation.”
For a
successful democracy, the bargaining of candidates during government formation
needs to be checked. He realized that administration is not accessible and
answerable to a common man’s needs. He was prompt in making changes.”
Rajiv
Gandhi
“Till
there is a gap in the implementation of schemes and the problems at grass root
level, till there is a gap in execution and transparency ,there would be scamps
happening. The faulty administrative structure that we have erected today waits
for command from Delhi (Central control) for any step to be taken at village
level. We need to change this. We need to send control to the village, to the
blocks in the rural areas. Then when the question is asked at the rural level,
answer is given at the rural level , the scope for wrong execution will be
over. Then any programme made from Centre will benefit you fully.
Rajiv
Gandhi was equally concerned about the communal harmony of the nation
Rajiv
Gandhi
“Mahatma
Gandhi ji and Indira Gandhi ji laid down their lives fir the integrity of the
nation. India cannot survive without secularism. We will do anything to uphold
our secular values. With all my strengths, I shall continue to serve the people
of India”.
Rajiv
Gandhi was a strong supporter of Peace and Harmony, inside the state as well as
outside the state. He advocated the need to know the opinion of people against
the wars and conflicts. He was very clear expressing his opinion against
disarmament on the international platform.
Rajiv
Gandhi, at an International event
“We
believe in human rights and human dignity. Peace can not be bought to the mere
control of armaments while encouraging the development of newer generation of
weapons – nuclear and conventional. Peace requires the diversion of resources
from weapons to development. Peace requires a wholesome environment and the
conservation of nature’s gift of life on planet earth. Peace means an end to
terrorism, whether by states or individuals.”
Who had
known that a soldier of Peace would have died such a violent death. The country
was stunned, the world was shocked. Leaders and dignitaries had come from
around the world to pay last tributes to the legend.
Rajiv
Gandhi in his short span of leadership achieved so much for India what many
can’t get in whole life.
Today on
his Martyrdom day, Nation salutes the visionary.
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