AP CM pays tributes to Gandhi and Shastri

Hyderabad, Oct 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today paid tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his 113th birth anniversary.

In a message here, Dr Reddy said ''Gandhiji was a multi-faceted genious, a beacon light of peace to the entire humanity, who became a legend''.

He said the Mahatma never compromised his strong faith in peace and non-violence in his relentless struggle for independece. His patriotic fervour and spirit of service to the poorest of the poor and deprived classes of the society left an indelible mark, he added. The Chief Minister said Mahatma's life was his message in his own words.

Paying tributes to the farmer Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occasion of his 102th birth anniversary tomorrow, the Chief Minister said Mr Shastri was the first leader, perhaps in the world, to attribute a soldier status to the common farmer with his call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.' The State Government was striving for the welfare and uplift of the poor and the downtrodden, particularly the farmers, as a befitting tribute to the great leader, Dr Reddy added.

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