Hyderabad: Rich tributes were paid to former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao on Sunday on his 100th birth anniversary with leaders recalling his services to the nation, especially the economic reforms initiated by him.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao inaugurated the centenary celebrations being organised by his government by paying tributes to the late Congress leader at P V Gnana Bhoomi at Necklace Road on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake.
Addressing a meeting to mark the event, the Chief Minister described Narasimha Rao as a "360-degree personality" whose contributions encompass all fields.
KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, said Narasimha Rao became chief minister and later Prime Minister without money and caste power.
He recalled that Rao launched economic reforms by making Manmohan Singh the finance minister. "His reforms are yielding the fruits today. It's thanks to P V that we are enjoying economic freedom," said KCR.
Several ministers and TRS leaders attended the celebrations. Also present on the occasion was Telangana state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy.
Uttam Kumar Reddy later announced that the Congress party will also organise year-long celebrations.
Stating that Rao's personality was at par with first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, KCR said by introducing economic reforms he became one of the architects of modern India. He also made a strong pitch for conferring "Bharat Ratna" on the late leader.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief said the state government has released Rs 10 crore for year-long centenary celebrations. He said the celebrations were being organized in 51 countries and he said that Rao has admirers in many countries. He said the celebrations should be held in a grand manner at state, national and international levels.
KCR said a book can be penned on the life of Rao saying that the late leader's life can be a guide in building personal image. Without anybody's support, he went on to occupy top positions.
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The TRS chief said the former PM was a constant learner and a great reformer. He described him as the pride of Telangana.
He recalled that Rao introduced reforms in whichever sector he was associated with and gave away his property to the government to set an example as a reformer.
The chief minister announced that events during the year would be planned in such a way that they will witness the participation of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Pranab Mukherjee and former prime minister Manmohan Singh among others.
He said bronze statues of Narasimha Rao would be installed at his native place Vangara, Warangal, Karimnagar and Hyderabad in the state and at the Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi.
The state government would set up a research centre named after the former prime minister in Kakatiya University and a national-level conclave would be held in Delhi to remember him, he said.
Narasimha Rao's son Prabhakar Rao and daughter Vani Devi, who spoke on the occasion, recalled his contributions and thanked the state government for organising his birth centenary.
Narasimha Rao was born on June 28, 1921 at Vangara in Karimnagar. He died on December 23, 2004.
With IANS inputs
