Nation pays tribute to Indira Gandhi on her 26th death anniversary
New Delhi: The nation on Sunday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 26th death anniversary. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress
President Sonia Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit were among the first to pay
floral tributes to the late leader. A series of functions are being organized throughout
the country to mark the occasion. The Indira Gandhi award for national integration
was conferred jointly on Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Narainpur and famous
music director AR Rehman for the year 2009 at a function in New Delhi for their
services in promoting and preserving national integration. The award
carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh and a citation. The Ramkrishna Mission Ashram
in Narainpur in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh was selected for the award for its
commendable work among the Pahadi Madia tribals, while Oscar awardee Rahman
was honoured for bringing together people of all ages and all lands on the uniform
platform of melody, rhythm and song. On this occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Singh
said that A.R. Rahman's music in films like 'Roja', ' Bombay ' and 'Lagaan' fostered
the spirit of patriotism and furthered the message of unity and respect towards
the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom of the country. He made a special
mention of Rahman's rendition of 'Vande Mataram' in the eponymous album released
in the late 1990s. "This album inspired all Indians -- Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs,
Christians and Parsis -- alike," the Prime Minister stated on this occasion.
Appreciating the efforts of the Ramkrishna Ashram for the betterment of tribals
residing in remote regions of the country, Dr. Singh said: "The Pahadi Madia tribe is
one of the most backward and poor tribes residing in jungles and mountainous
regions spread across 4000 square kilometres." Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi hailed the
selfless work of the Ashram in Chhattisgarh and lauded the contribution of Rahman
whose 'Jai Ho' "not only won him an Oscar but also held people across the world in
a trance". Swami Vyaptanand, who received the award on behalf of the Ashram,
recalled that the Narainpur Ashram was set up at the instance of the then Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister of the country
from 1966 to 1976 and again from 1980 to 1984, was assassinated by two of her
Sikh bodyguards at her residence on October 31, 1984 . She is noted for declaring a
state of emergency after a court struck
down her election in 1975, and also for her handling of the 'Operation Blue Star'
against Sikh militants, which eventually resulted in her assassination.
