AP CM pays glowing tributes to Rajiv Gandhi

Hyderabad, Aug 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy paid tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 62nd birth anniversary today.

In a message yesterday, the Chief Minister described Rajiv Gandhi as the architect of modern India who cherished that the fruits of progress in science and technology should reflect in improving the living standards of the common man and dedicated his life in selfless service to the nation.

Dr Reddy said during Mr Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister, he initiated several progressive measures in administration, economy and science and technology apart from judicial and electoral reforms by amendment of the Constitution. Panchayat Raj was given a fillip, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years and a new education policy was framed besides establishing Indira Gandhi National Open University, the Chief Minister added.

Rajiv Gandhi presented an action plan before the special session of UN General Assembly on Disarmament in 1988, and put forth relentless efforts to promote a sustained co-operation among the members of the SAARC countries, the Chief Minister said.

''The most befitting tribute we could pay to such a dynamic national leader is to rededicate ourselves to strive for realising his cherished objectives,'' Dr Reddy said.

''The patriotic fervour and unrelenting spirit of national integration, which Rajivji left behind should be emulated by the youth for generations to come,'' he exhorted.

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