Delhi : UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge pay floral tributes to former Prime Minister #IndiraGandhi at Shakti Sthal on her birth anniversary on Saturday.
The former Congress president was speaking at an event to present the 2021 Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development. She said those who have received the award have exemplified the values Indira Gandhi cherished, the ideals she espoused, and the causes she championed.
The award was given to 'Pratham', a non-governmental organisation working for providing quality education to all children. "Every once in a while institutions and organisations too are recognised for their contributions in areas very close to her (Indira Gandhi's) heart. Today is one such occasion," Sonia Gandhi said.
The prize was presented by former vice president M Hamid Ansari to the NGO for its pioneering work over more than 25 years towards seeking to ensure every child has access to quality education, for its innovative use of digital technology to deliver education, for its programmes to provide skills to young adults and for its regular evaluation of the quality of education and timely response in enabling children to learn during the Covid-related school closures.
"Indira Gandhi left an indelible imprint on our country. She continues to be applauded and admired for her numerous achievements. "Even her critics recognise that there was an unchanging core to her personality, that defined who she was and what she did - that is, her fierce commitment to an all-inclusive patriotism; her staunch secularism; her indomitable courage and fortitude; her empathy for the poor and instinctive rapport with the people," she said.
"Her unwavering support to self-reliance in all fields, especially in science and technology; her firm belief in the value of education as an instrument of social emancipation and empowerment; and her passionate conviction in environmental conservation and protection of biodiversity,even as India strove for a faster pace of economic growth," the former Congress chief said.
