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Indian National Congress is a major political party
in India. Founded in 1885, the Indian National Congress became the leader
of Indian Independence Movement, with over 15 million members and 70
million participants in its struggle against British rule in India. After
Independence in 1947, it became the nation’s dominant political party.
In the 14th Lok Sabha (2004 – 2009), 145 members out of 545,
the largest contingent amongst all parties, serve in the house. The party
is currently the chief member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance
Coalition. It is the only party to get more than 100 million votes in the
past two general elections(1999, 2004).
Although
initially and primarily a political body, the Congress transformed itself
into a national vehicle for social reform and human upliftment. And the
Congress's foundations in democracy and multiculturalism helped make India
a consistently democratic and free nation. The Congress was the strongest
foundation and defining influence of modern Indian nationalism. Under the
guidance of the following Dynamic leaders Indian National Congress, has
achieved national acceptance: -
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PT. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU:
Jawaharlal Nehru hailed from an aristocrat family. He began to
take an active interest in politics and showed early signs of
being a dynamic leader. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre,
Gandhiji's satyagraha movement and other events swept him
completely into the national struggle. It did not take him
long long to emerge as a great national leader. When he was
only 40 he was elected to preside over the momentous Lahore
session of the Congress in 1929- it was here that the
resolution on Purna Swaraj was adopted. Jawaharlal spent many
years of his political career in goal. His life of sacrifice
earned him the affection of his countrymen. Indeed next to the
Mahatma he was our most popular leader. India and its people
became his major concern and during his tour of the country he
was moved by the vast crowds that came to see him. He wrote
sensitively and his several books brought him international
fame-"An Autobiography", "Glimpses of World
History" and "Discovery of India" are among the
more notable of his publications.
His prime ministership of free India was a blessing to the
nation. It was mainly because of him that the country did not
go to pieces during the first years of upheaval. Jawaharlal
Nehru was Prime Minister for seventeen years. During this
period he worked to take India to the modem era and at the
same time earned for it a place in the world. He himself came
to be counted among the great leaders of his time, a bitter
opponent of colonialism who was looked upon for inspiration by
the Afro-Asian world. He will be remembered not only for the
dams and laboratories he built and for laying the foundation
of heavy industry. He will have his place in history as a man
who had a great vision of India and the world and endeavored
to fulfill it by his action. |
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MRS. INDIRA GANDHI:
Indira Gandhi was one of the most charismatic leaders of
modern India whose ideas and activities touched different
spheres of India's public life and politics and left an
imprint on world affairs, especially, the Non-alignment
Movement. She was the Prime Minister for over fifteen-and-half
years. She became a member of the Congress Working Committee
in 1955 and was elected President in 1959. She became a member
of the Cabinet of Lal Bahadur Shastri as Minister for
Information. In 1966 on the sudden demise of Shastriji, she
was made the Prime Minister.
Indira Gandhi strengthened the democratic structure and
tradition of India. She had tremendous influence on the
masses. Among the major achievements of Indira Gandhi as Prime
Minister were India's role during the liberation war in
Bangladesh including humane handling of refugees and winning
of 1971 war against Pakistan. She gave direction to India's
economy to reach the declared objectives of democratic
socialism and greater social justice for weaker sections. It
was under her leadership that the signing of Shimla Pact with
Pakistani Premier Z.A. Bhutto and the signing of Indo-Soviet
Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation took place. She
nationalised banks, abolished privy purses of maharajas and
conducted the first nuclear tests at Pokhran.
Indira Gandhi was deeply interested in literature, music and
fine arts. Various cultural institutions, performing artists,
educationists, intellectuals received her patronage and
encouragement. She was proud of India's cultural heritage and
it was on her initiative that Asiatic Society, Calcutta
received the status of an institution and national importance.
She was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1971. |
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MR.
RAJIV GANDHI:
Rajiv Gandhi was the
youngest Prime Minister of India, he was also perhaps one of
the youngest elected heads of Governments in Democratic World.
Besides being the harbinger of a generation change in the
country, Mr. Gandhi received the biggest mandate in the
nation's history in the elections to the Lok Sabha.
Science and Technology were, for Rajiv Gandhi the keys of
India's future. The emphasis which Rajiv laid on responsive
administration was very characteristic of him.
|It was in Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister that
concrete steps were taken to draw the youth more closely into
nation building activities. His Prime Ministership saw a
tremendous growth in India's stature in International affairs. |
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MRS. SONIA GANDHI:
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, president of INC entered politics after
seven years of public demand and persuasion by Congress
workers after her husband’s demise. She campaigned vigorously
for congress on the eve of 1998 parliamentary elections and
was elected Party President in April 1998. Smt.
Sonia was elected to Lok Sabha in October, 1999 from Amethi
Parliamentary Constituency in Uttar Pradesh with a record
majority of more than three hundred thousand votes. As
Congress President Smt. Sonia supervised the sincere efforts
of the Congress Party to provide relief to the victims during
the recent Gujarat Earthquake.
Yet another area of service of Smt. Sonia is working for the
cause of the weaker sections, SCs and STs, minorities, poor
and orphan children. She is the Chairperson of the Indian
Council for Child Welfare, She also presides over the
activities of Nehru Trust for Cambridge University.
She is also a patron of the prestigious Round Square
(International Group of Schools based on the principles of
education of Dr. Kust Hahn) and Indian Member, International
Advisory Group of the United Nations (set up to mark 50th
Anniversary of UNO).
Before entering politics Smt. Sonia had spend considerable
part of her time in the work of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. It was during her
association with the Foundation she devoted special attention
to the welfare of women, children and disabled and application
of Science and Technology for the cause of common man.
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