Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Congress celebrated the 136th birth anniversary of independent India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, with great reverence at the Congress Bhawan in Sector 35. Dozens of Congress workers paid heartfelt floral tributes to him, expressing gratitude for his vision of the beautiful city of Chandigarh and for building this dream city, positioning it as a model for urban infrastructure across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Chandigarh Congress President H.S. Lucky described Nehru as the architect of modern India, saying he considered hydroelectric projects, hospitals like AIIMS and PGI, major universities, and industries as the temples of modern India. Lucky said that Nehru is credited with the development of both the public and private sectors across the country. Accusing the current BJP government of reversing Nehru's pro-national plans, he said the current BJP government is selling off invaluable public sector undertakings to benefit a few of its wealthy friends through unconstitutional means.
Party General Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Rajiv Sharma praised the first Prime Minister for establishing an autonomous and independent Election Commission of India and providing the right to one person, one vote, without any discrimination based on gender, religion, caste, or economic status. He said the current BJP government has destroyed the autonomy and independence of all the democratic institutions created by Nehru.
And as recent elections in various states demonstrate, even the voters' right to one person, one vote is now under threat. He lamented the current government's anti-people policies, saying that India's democracy, nurtured by Nehru, is facing a serious crisis today.
The Chandigarh Congress appealed to the city's residents to support Pandit Nehru's ideals and strive to build the modern India of his dreams.