Sonia Gandhi pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 65th death anniversary

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The Nation on Wednesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on his 65th death anniversary.President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid floral tribute to Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat. Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of other dignitaries also paid tribute to the apostle of peace at his memorial. A series of functions are being organized throughout the country to mark the occasion.

Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to Gandhi Ji on his 65th death anniversary

The Nation on Wednesday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on his 65th death anniversary. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid floral tribute to Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat. Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of other dignitaries also paid tribute to the apostle of peace at his memorial. A series of functions are being organized throughout the country to mark the occasion. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar. A lawyer by profession, Gandhi led the struggle for India''s independence from British rule by following the path of non-violence. Ironically, Gandhi was shot dead by a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse, at a prayer meeting in Delhi on January 30, 1948, less than a year after India became independent. For more details: http://www.gandhisonia.com http://www.pressbrief.in

Sonia Gandhi writes to Anna: Lokpal Bill will be passed in Budget Session

Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote a letter to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare with assurance that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in the upcoming Budget Session. The Lokpal Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2011, but could not be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha due to shortage of time. Since then the government has not brought the Lokpal Bill to Parliament.

Sonia's assurance came two days before Hazare is set to begin his nationwide tour for strengthening the organisation of farmers. Hazare announced on January 16 that he would begin his nationwide tour from Bihar on January 30.

He said that following failure of farmers' organisations to unite, it has led to neglect of agriculture sector by the rulers. "Keeping in mind the need to strengthen farmers' organisations, I decided to start nationwide tour for one and half years and sit for satyagraha before Lok Sabha polls at Ramleela Maidan, New Delhi," he said.

Addressing the gathering after receiving the prestigious "Basava Krushi" (agricultural award named after 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara), instituted by 'Kudalasangama Lingayat Panchamasali Mahapeeth' in Bagalkot, Anna declared: "I will tour in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Panjab and Karnataka and start agitation by organizing farmers community".

Sonia Gandhi at AICC session: Safety is a fundamental right of every woman

While speaking on the last day of the three-day AICC session named chintan shivir, on Sunday, Congress President Sonia Gandhi addressed the issue of women safety in India and said that Delhi gang-rape victim symbol of women who suffer from similar fates. “Her death will not go in vein” she assured.

Speaking about the Delhi gang-rape case, Sonia Gandhi said that it had shocked the nation and that safety is a fundamental right of every woman. Criticizing certain remarks made after the Delhi gang-rape, she said "we cannot tolerate the shameful social mindsets that lead to unspeakable atrocities on women and children. In the last few weeks, some public figures have come out with truly shocking statements reflective of these completely unacceptable attitudes."

Sonia Gandhi said the UPA government has drafted laws for women empowerment like providing them protection against sexual harassment at workplace and providing them better representation in panchayats. To ensure further development for women, she vouched for one third reservation for the fairer sex in the legislative bodies.

The Congress President also clearly told partymen that they should not indulge in nepotism and should show unity to face the challenge of elections which are 15 months away. "I am sure if we make the right efforts with unity, there is no doubt in my mind why we will not get the mandate again," she said.

Sonia Gandhi made a strong pitch for electoral reforms and political funding saying people are getting disillusioned with the political process and there is a need to address the issue with sensitivity. "We have to admit that people are getting disillusioned with the political process. We have to understand what the causes of this disillusionment are and we have to do away with this with sensitivity," Sonia Gandhi said striking an introspective note.

Transform the system but after serious thoughts; says Rahul Gandhi

A day after being appointed as Congress vice president, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday promised to transform the system, address the impatient anger of its youth and bring change.

Amid loud applauds from a hall full of party workers in Jaipur, Rahul Gandhi outlined the coming challenges in a country that is rapidly modernizing, that has an assertive middle class that wants to change the old ways of doing politics, and in which more than two-thirds of its billion-plus people are young.

 “The voices of a billion Indians are today telling us that they want a greater say in government, in politics and administration. They are telling us that the course of their lives cannot be decided by a handful of people behind closed doors who are not fully accountable to them,” Rahul Gandhi said, speaking about the increasing push among Indians for a more participatory style of decision-making. “They are telling us that India’s governmental system is stuck in the past. It has become a system that robs people of their voice.”

Rahul Gandhi said that the answer isn’t in running the old system better, but in “completely transforming” it.  “Why is our youth angry? Why are they out on the street? They are angry because they are alienated, they are excluded from the political class,” Rahul Gandhi said referring to the ivory-tower lifestyles of India’s politicians.

“There is a young and impatient India, and it is demanding a greater voice in the nation’s future,” he cautioned.

However, the maiden speech after taking over the new post in his party, Rahul Gandhi sent out a clear warning. There will not be any paratroopers as candidates in the party and strong actions will be taken against the rebels. Yes, a positive signal for the party and for the nation.

Sonia Gandhi stresses on pragmatic approach to boost investment to tackle unemployment

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while delivering her opening address at Congress’ chintan shivir at Jaipur said that “inroads have been made into  Congress traditional support bases” and reminded Congressmen of the need to gear up for political challenges in states where they have been out of power for long. Sonia Gandhi also stressed on a “pragmatic” approach to encouraging investment for fueling economic growth and fueling employment.

Sonia Gandhi stated that UPA’s “impressive economic growth” had helped in reducing poverty. Stressing on the need for inclusive growth the Congress president urged for better implementation of poverty alleviation programmer.

 The Congress party will be deliberating on the issues – political, socio- economic, organizational and foreign policy challenges - flagged off by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

About foreign policy Sonia  Gandhi made it clear that “our dialogue with (our  neighbours) must be based on accepted principles of civilized behavior.”  “Performance not patronage must be the ladder to advancement in the party,” stressed the Congress President.

With the party in poll mode, on the brink of a slew of elections in as many as ten states this year itself, Sonia Gandhi repeatedly spoke of the organizational challenges confronting the party and the need to function as a “disciplined and united team.”

Rahul Gandhi's first interaction with media after taking over as Congress Vice President

Newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had a brief interaction with the media persons when he visited AICC office for the first time after taking over the new assignment. "Congress is the big instrument that can bring in changes. Congress party is a big instrument that brings in more youngsters. And it is the big and strong instrument than can transform the country" said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi visits AICC office for the first time after taking over as Congress Vice President

Congress leaders greeted newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on his first visit to AICC office after taking over as the new assignment in the party. The leaders greeted the young leader with followers and by shaking hands. Rahul Gandhi was appointed as Congress Vice President in the recently held Congress' Chintan Shivir at Jaipur.

Sonia Gandhi: Mothers should teach their boys how to respect women in their family and in the neighbourhood

Expressing her pain and anguish over the brutal gangrape incident in Delhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi made a strong pitch for starting women empowerment from home at Congress’ Chintan Shivir at Jaipur. "Mothers should teach their boys how to respect women in their family and in the neighbourhood. Women empowerment should start from home," she was quoted as having said.

She spent 30 minutes in the meeting of Congress group on women empowerment headed by MP Girija Vyas.

Earlier, in her opening remarks, Sonia Gandhi asked Congress workers to bring gender issues to "the heart of our political activity" saying the "very disturbing trends" against women and children should wake the party. In her speech, she described atrocities on women as a blot on conscience and a matter of shame, and stressed that gender issues should not just confined to Mahila Congress or women organisations only. "I must say with the greatest anguish and pain that discrimination against the girl child continues. Atrocities on women, both in urban and rural India, are a blot on our collective conscience and a matter of great shame," said Sonia Gandhi.

"The way we still treat widows, the prevalence of female foeticide even in economically prosperous regions, the trafficking of children and women, brazen sexual harassment - these are all very disturbing trends that should shake and awaken us," said the Congress President. "The entire party must understand them, and bring them to the heart of our political activity and change mindset," she added.