Tag Archives: rahul gandhi

Ratan Tata’s Demise: ‘Extremely Pained’, says Modi; Condolences Pour In

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow on Thursday following the demise of Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to age-related health issues.

Sharing his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister wrote, “My mind is filled with countless interactions with Shri Ratan Tata Ji. During my tenure as Gujarat CM, we would meet frequently, discussing various issues. His insights were always deeply enriching. These meaningful interactions continued when I moved to Delhi. I am extremely pained by his passing. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers during this difficult time. Om Shanti.”

Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi tweeted:”Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy. My condolences to his family and the Tata community.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also mourned Tata’s death, acknowledging his significant contributions to India’s economy. “Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata. He was a Titan of Indian industry, renowned for his monumental impact on our economy, trade, and industry. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. May his soul rest in peace,” Singh wrote on X.

Ratan Tata’s hospitalization on Monday had sparked widespread concern, with speculation circulating about his health. Although he had issued a statement assuring that it was a routine check-up for age-related issues, his condition reportedly worsened, leading to him being placed on life support.

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran also paid tribute, saying, “It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation. To me, he was more than just a chairperson—he was a mentor, guide, and friend. His unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation ensured the Tata Group’s global expansion, while always remaining grounded in strong ethical values.”

Rahul Gandhi Echoes Mahatma’s Teachings on Gandhi Jayanti, Priyanka Highlights Legacy

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On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Rahul Gandhi paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and urged everyone to lead a life without fear, echoing the teachings of the Father of the Nation.

Rahul Gandhi also shared a video on his social media handle, emphasizing the importance of walking on the path of truth, love, compassion, and harmony. He wrote: “Gandhi ji was not just an individual, he was a way of thinking and living. He never feared anything. He taught me that the power of love always overrules the love of power. India was the first country which got Independence through love and compassion.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, recalling his famous teachings, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win.” He expressed his admiration for Gandhi’s ideals of truth, non-violence, and satyagraha, which continue to inspire us today.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary, also paid her respects to Mahatma Gandhi. She highlighted the importance of travel in understanding the pain and suffering of people. She recounted how Gandhi ji travelled all over India, walking an average of 18 kilometers every day, equivalent to circling the Earth twice.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Connection with Haryana

She also shared an anecdote about Gandhi’s deep connection with Haryana. On April 10, 1919, he was first arrested at Palwal railway station in Haryana while protesting against the Rowlatt Act. He visited Rohtak in 1921, where he laid the foundation of a school to promote education.

On the morning of December 19, 1947, during a prayer meeting, Mewat leader Chaudhary Yasin Khan informed Gandhi that thousands of Muslims of Mewat were ready to migrate to Pakistan. However, after Gandhi’s assurance, they decided to stay. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized that Gandhi’s life journey was a message of love, peace, harmony, freedom, equality, self-reliance, and self-respect.

Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings continue to inspire people across the globe. His principles of truth and non-violence have been a beacon of hope for many. His belief in the power of love and compassion led India to its independence, making it the first country to achieve freedom through these virtues.

In Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress leaders and Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, paid tribute to Bapu at his residence, Mani Bhawan, on the occasion of his 155th birth anniversary.

Gandhi’s teachings have been immortalized in numerous quotes that continue to inspire people worldwide. His belief in the power of forgiveness, the importance of living in the present, and the enduring nature of truth are just a few examples of his wisdom.

Gandhi’s commitment to the welfare of all beings and his vision of a society based on higher ethical and spiritual values continue to guide us. His teachings emphasize the unity of all beings and the importance of universal love, friendliness, and shared responsibility.

Rahul Gandhi denies ‘Shakti’ he referred to was ‘Shakti Mata’; Offers elaborate explanation

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Amid attacks over his ‘Shakti’ remarks, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the statement had been taken out of context and blamed the “lies-manufacturing machinery” of the BJP for creating a needless controversy over his statement.

While addressing a large gathering on the culmination of the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi said, “There is a word ‘shakti’ (might) in Hindi. We are fighting against the ‘shakti’ (might of the state). The question is, what is that ‘shakti’ and what does it entail for us?”

He took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the latter twists his remarks if he doesn’t like them but the fact is that he spoke the plain truth though it left the ruling party offended and the BJP, which has “begun a smear campaign” against him.

Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi posted an explanation of what he meant by taking on the ‘shakti’, which the BJP equated with the revered and venerated figure in Hinduism. “The ‘shakti’ which we are fighting is deeply enmeshed in system, the PM is just a mask of it,” he wrote on X.

“It is the ‘shakti (might)’ that has destroyed constitutional bodies like the Election Commission, made agencies like the CBI, ED a puppet and taken the whole constitutional set-up for a ride,” MP Rahul Gandhi explained.

“It’s because of this ‘shakti’ that poor and marginalised farmers are being driven to more pitiable situations, while big corporates are getting bank waivers of hundreds to thousands of crores,” he explained.

He further said that the media had stopped reporting facts and was saluting this ‘shakti.’ He made it clear that his assertions and fight against this ‘undeclared power’ is not about any religion but it is against corruption and fake narratives.

 

 

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra ends in Mumbai today, INDIA bloc leaders to join

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, is set to culminate today (Sunday, March 17, 2024) in Mumbai after covering a staggering 6,700 kilometers from Manipur. The event marks a significant milestone in his journey across the country to connect with people from different walks of life.

Key political figures including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav are expected to grace the concluding ceremony at Shivaji Park, underscoring the solidarity among opposition leaders. Joining them will be Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya, Sharad Pawar, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, reflecting a unified stance ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Sources indicate the presence of Rahul Gandhi’s mother and former Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, at the event, along with scheduled discussions with Maharashtra alliance leaders earlier in the day. The Congress’s general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has already arrived in Mumbai to partake in the finale of the yatra, emphasizing the journey’s objective of raising public awareness about the country’s realities.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to enter Maharashtra on March 12, 2024 (INC)

“Today ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ is coming to an end. We both are very happy to be here. Rahul Gandhi ji did this journey so that you understand the reality of the country. This entire journey was to make the public aware,” she said.

Commencing from Imphal on January 14, the east-west Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra traversed over 100 Lok Sabha constituencies across 15 states, including Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

This nationwide Padayatra was launched in anticipation of the Lok Sabha elections, following the success of the party’s previous Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir last year, which contributed to electoral victories in Telangana and Karnataka assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to enter Maharashtra today

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) will enter Maharashtra at Nandurbar on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 and will culminate at the Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai’s Dadar, where the cremation of B.R. Ambedkar, the Architect of Constitution, was held.

A significant aspect of the event will be the formal closure of BJNY at Chaityabhoomi, officially known as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Memorial, which features his bust and a statue of Lord Buddha. Chaityabhoomi holds reverence as a pilgrimage site annually on December 6, observed as ‘Mahaparinirvan Day’.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park holds historical significance, having hosted major meetings and gatherings during the British era and post-independence, drawing leaders from all political spectrums.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will be among the key speakers at the INDIA bloc public meeting, marking the formal launch of the united campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Notably, former Congress President Sonia Gandhi addressed a massive rally at the same venue on December 28, 2003, ahead of the 2004 parliament elections, which saw the UPA, led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, come to power.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to enter Maharashtra on March 12, 2024 (INC)

Kharge and Rahul Gandhi announced BJNY on December 27, 2023, the eve of Congress’ 139th anniversary, in the presence of top party leaders. Recently, a delegation of senior Congress leaders, including AICC Secretary Ashish Dua, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat, Mumbai unit party chief Varsha Gaikwad, met Director-General of Police Rashmi Shukla to ensure adequate security arrangements for Rahul Gandhi’s travel and the upcoming mega-rally on March 17.

Leaders such as Maharashtra unit party president Nana Patole, Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan, former CMs Sushilkumar Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan, among others, are finalizing Rahul Gandhi‘s BJNY route in the state and preparations for the CMS Park public meeting.

The BJNY, which started from Manipur on January 15, 2024 has traversed 6,700 km, spanning 110 Lok Sabha constituencies across 15 states. It will conclude with a public rally on March 17 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, where top leaders of the national Opposition INDIA bloc will be attending.

 

 

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Why Raghuram Rajan singled out for joining Yatra

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Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan on Wednesday as many celebrities have joined the 3,500-km long Yatra in the course of last 98 days. But Rajan was singled out first time when BJP’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the former RBI governor “fancies” himself as the next Manmohan Singh.

Raghuram Rajan was the 23rd Governor of the RBI and served his term between 2013 and 2016. He joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Yatra on Wednesday, December 14. He was shown having a discussion with Rahul Gandhi while marching as the Congress’ yatra resumed from Bhadoti of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan this morning.

Soon after Congress tweeted about his participation stating, “BharatJodoYatra Shri Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of RBI, shaking steps with @RahulGandhi ji… The increasing number of people standing up to unite the country against hatred shows that we will be successful,” the debate on social media kicked off as he was known for his opposition to Demonetisation and other economic policies of the country.

Otherwise, several personalities ranging from joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra from activist Medha Patkar to actor Swara Bhaskar but did not evoke reaction the way Rajan’s participation did.

“Just that his commentary on India’s economy should be discarded with disdain. It is coloured and opportunistic,” Malviya tweeted. He was soon joined by BJP national general secretary CT Ravi who said Raghuram Rajan joined Rahul Gandhi’s yatra to “repay his debt” to the “dynasty” that had made him the RBI governor. “Raghu Ram Rajan was glorified as a great economist by the Liberals. But he turns out to be just another jewel in the court of the Fake Gandhis,” CT Ravi tweeted.

Rajan, with Lionel Barber (left) and Lloyd Blankfein (right), at the FT and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award ceremony in 2010.

As an internationally renowned economist, Rajan was averse to the risks of both unnecessary government intervention as well as unregulated financial markets. He advocated more freedom for financial markets in the economy. In his book, Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists: Unleashing the Power of Financial Markets to Create Wealth and Spread Opportunity, he argued that deregulated financial markets facilitate access of the poor to finance and he was known for making the first move as RBI Governor who provided microfinance institutions become minibanks in the country for a greater financial inclusion.

He hols the view that “healthy and competitive financial markets are an extraordinarily effective tool in spreading opportunity and fighting poverty. ”

Known for his research work on banking and at IMF, Rajan early this year said even sanctions work as strongly as weapons of mass destruction. “When fully unleashed, sanctions, too, are weapons of mass destruction. They may not topple buildings or collapse bridges, but they destroy firms, financial institutions, livelihoods, and even lives. Like military WMDs, they inflict pain indiscriminately, striking both the culpable and the innocent,” he wrote in his article titled  “Economic Weapons of Mass Destruction“, Project Syndicate.

Otherwie, the yatra will enter its 100th day on December 16 and move to Haryana next. The yatra started from Kanniyakumari on September 7 and has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, AP, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir in early February 2023.

Gulam Nabi Azad resigns finally from Congress, blames Rahul Gandhi’s leadership

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Ghulam Nabi Azad dashed off his resignation letter not without blaming everything on 8 years of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership of Congress under whom he said proxies and puppets are propped up for the party president’s post.

Azad alleged that the senior leaders were abused, humiliated, insulted and vilified in a specially summoned meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee meeting after their G-23 group’s letter seeking reforms in the party in 2020, signed by 23 leaders.

In his resignation letter sent on Friday, Azad said, “Unfortunately, the situation in the Congress party has reached such a point of no return that now ‘proxies’ are being propped up to take over the leadership of the party. This experiment is doomed to fail because the party has been so comprehensively destroyed that the situation has become irretrievable. Moreover, the ‘chosen one’ would be nothing more than a puppet on a string.”

He said at the national level the Congress has conceded the political space to the BJP and state level space to regional parties. “This all happened because the leadership in the past eight years has tried to foist a non-serious individual at the helm of the party,” he alleged without taking the name of Rahul Gandhi.

Congress

Azad alleged that in August 2020 when he and 22 other senior colleagues, including former Union Ministers and Chief Ministers wrote to Sonia Gandhi to flag the abysmal drift in the party, the “coterie” tried to “unleash its sycophants on us and got us attacked, vilified and humiliated in the most crude manner possible”.

The veteran leader alleged that on the directions of this coterie, today his mock funeral procession was taken out in Jammu and those who committed this indiscipline were feted in Delhi by the General Secretaries of the AICC and Rahul Gandhi personally.

“Subsequently the same coterie unleashed its goondas to physically attack the residence of a former Ministerial Colleague Sh. Kapil Sibal who incidentally was defending you and your kin in the courts of Law for your alleged attacks of omission and commission,” Azad wrote in the letter.

He said that the only crime committed by the 23 senior leaders, who wrote that letter out of concern for the party, is that they pointed out the reasons for the weaknesses in the party and the remedies too.

Manmohan Singh Turns 88 and India turns to him with awe and admiration

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When Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh on his birthday on Sept 26, 2020, the Twitterati woke up to the need of the hour for an academic who changed the course of battered Indian economy from socialism to market-driven economy, albeit, gradually.

No wonder, #HappyBirthdayDrMMSingh trended on Twitter for about 15 hours, with over 150,000 tweets and the hashtag topped the chart as the economist turned 88. Reminiscent of what he said just ahead of the run-up to the 2014 general election, the praise for him was universal without any political undercurrents. “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament,” said Dr Manmohan Singh in January 2014.

Ironic but the country failed to see his selfless achievements for the country in a silent but graceful manner that rivals only a few prime ministers in history. Despite the brouhaha around his birthday online, he himself spent the day mourning the passing of Isher Judge Ahluwalia, an economist, author and wife of Montek Singh Ahluwalia who had helped him during his term as the former finance minister  to initiate reforms that changed India forever.

Japan’s recognition

Soon after serving as finance minister, the coalition governments followed and he was pushed to sidelines. But not for some nations which have seen the mettle in such men of great vision and recognised them even when they were not in public glare.

Japan in 1997 conferred upon him the Nikkei Asia Prize meant for regional growth. Not many bothered why Japan woke up to honour him when he was Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. But, Japan saw the future potential Prime Ministerial candidate in him that many failed to recognise in his own country. It came true seven years later in 2004 when he was chosen as Prime Minister.

Late Realisation

Here are some tweets which speak for themselves to depict his term in comparison to those before and after him:

  • “Those were the days when the Prime Minister focused on work, not on camera.”
  • “Happy birthday to a Prime Minister who gave 10.8% GDP growth, faced press conferences and knew the spelling of strength.”
  • “He spoke less but not lies.”
  • “He showed us the difference between talk and work.”
  • “The tragedy is you don’t know the value of a Dr Manmohan Singh until you get a Narendra Modi,”

Finally, Rahul Gandhi summed it up when he tweeted: “India feels the absence of a PM with the depth of Dr Manmohan Singh. His honesty, decency and dedication are a source of inspiration for us all. ”

His associate in the Congress and former finance minister P. Chidambaram even advocated the Bharat Ratna for Manmohan Singh but the truth is that he is above all those honours and awards. His commitment to work and bring change is what we need. And hopefully, Japan may recognise such personality again.

Pranab Da is no more, country mourns; ‘End of an Era’

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Former President Pranab Mukherjee died on Monday evening, his son Abhijit Mukherjee said in a tweet. He was admitted at the Army Research and Referral Hospital 21 days ago after his condition deteriorated following a brain surgery.

Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted: “With a Heavy Heart, this is to inform you that my father Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of You.”

Pranab Mukherjee was admitted to the hospital at 12.07 p.m. on August 10 in a critical condition. The veteran Congress leader was on life support for nearly three weeks. His former party colleagues along with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi paid rich tributes to the 84-year-old leader.

The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi greeting the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, on the occasion of New Year, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 01, 2017 (PIB Photo)

Known as Pranab Da for many, he was President of India from 2012 to 2017. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, in 2019 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

“With great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former President Pranab Mukherjee. I join the country in paying homage to him. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

‘End of an Era’

The Congress on its official Twitter handle, said: “We are deeply pained by the passing of Pranab Mukherjee. Former President of India and one of the tallest leaders of the Congress Party, Pranab Mukherjee will always be remembered for his integrity and compassion. Our prayers are with his family, followers and the nation.”

Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, said the death of the veteran Congress leader, said, “An era has come to an end. Your thoughts, memories and sense of commitment to the party, the people and the nation lives on… Rest in Peace Pranab Da,” Surjewala tweeted.

“Deeply saddened at the demise of former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. The nation has lost a great leader, thinker and statesman. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the nation. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters. May his soul rest in peace,” another veteran Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted.

 

Rahul Gandhi calls on President

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A day after the Republic Day, Congress President Rahul Gandhi called on President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday.

It was not clear why Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan a day after the President hosted “At Home” reception on the Rashtrapati Bhavan lawns on the 69th Republic Day on Friday.

Rahul Gandhi, who was seated in sixth row of the dignitaries to witness the Republic Day parade on Friday, unlike his mother who was always seated in the front row, however, took it in a lighter vein and paid the visit to President.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted after his meeting with President, saying,”I had a wonderful meeting with President Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.” The meeting was made to a customary one though.

Earlier on Thursday, Congress party described the seating arrangement as BJP’s “cheap politics” to insult Rahul Gandhi. But in a strange turn of the things, the Congress Party president was further pushed behind to sixth row when he was actually shown the sixth row at the Rajpath parade on Friday.

When media coverage highlighted the incident, the government brushed it aside as a security risk consideration.

Reportedly, the humiliation meted out to Rahul Gandhi did not go down well with the foreign dignitaries present at the Republic Day from the 10 ASEAN countries either as some of them had closer ties with the Congress Party when it was in power.