Tribute paid to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary
Credit: PTI Photo
The Congress on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying his visionary and courageous interventions were instrumental in preparing India for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Here's a look at the former prime minister's achievements while in office:
Laid foundation for IT and Telecom Revolution
Rajiv Gandhi was responsible for laying the foundation for India’s IT and Telecom revolution. The former PM promoted computerisation, software development and telecom infrastructure, thereby enabling the rise of India’s IT sector and the proliferation of PCOs across India.
Educational reforms
In the field of education, Gandhi brought in reforms such as the National Policy on Education in 1986. He also introduced reforms focusing on science, technology, and vocational training.
Gandhi is also credited with establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools for talented rural children.
Strengthen village-level governance
Gandhi advocated for democratic decentralisation and grassroots development. He initiated the effort to strengthen village-level governance and local self-government by pushing for the 64th Amendment to the Constitution.
Introducing technology in governance
Gandhi, during his tenure also pushed for transparency in government functioning using technology. He introduced computers into government offices, launched administrative reform efforts.
This paved the future for e-governance and modern administrative practices.
Voting Reforms, empowering youth
Gandhi during his tenure also made changes to bolster youth empowerment and fought for their democratic rights by reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years (61st Constitutional Amendment, 1988), which led to increased political participation among the young citizens of the country.
Helping to elevate India's standing globally
Gandhi's tenure as prime minister also saw him helping to improve India's standing in the international forum. He re-engaged India with the US, USSR, and non-aligned countries and this helped strengthen India’s diplomatic profile in global forums.
"His address to the UN Special Session on Disarmament, where he put forward a time-bound plan for global disarmament, revealed a commitment to world peace rooted in realism," the Congress noted.
Scientific development
Under Gandhi, scientific and technological development in the country also got an upward push as he promoted institutions like ISRO, DRDO, and CDAC.
India's first satellite, Rohini Satellite RS-1, was launched during his tenure and he also engaged in science diplomacy, pushing for collaboration with other nations in the fields of science and technology.
He also championed the Param supercomputer project under Vijay P Bhatkar after the US denied India access to Cray supercomputers.
Public Health reforms
Public health and rural development initiatives were also taken under Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as PM as he boosted immunisation programs and rural healthcare outreach. He also pushed for expanding rural electrification, improved drinking water supply and road system for rural areas.