Indira enhanced India's prestige in world: Hooda

Chandigarh, Oct 31 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said Indira Gandhi was not only a great leader of the country but a leader of international fame.

''Her sagacious leadership ushered in a new era of prosperity and enhanced the prestige of India in the world,'' Mr Hooda said while speaking at a function organised at the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee office here to pay homage to Ms Gandhi on her 23rd Martyrdom day.

Mr Hooda said Ms Indira Gandhi guided the destiny of the nation which achieved glorious heights under her stint as Prime Minister.

She had launched a number of innovative schemes for the welfare of all sections of the society especially the poor people which resulted in improvement in their socio-economic condition, he said.

The Chief Minister said Haryana was formed by Ms Gandhi in 1966 and she had also provided liberal financial assistance to the state for its rapid development.

He said Indira Gandhi's dream was to see Haryana as number one state in the country. He said now under the able guidance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Haryana was making all efforts to realise the dream of Ms Indira Gandhi.

Mr Hooda said the country had made unparalleled progress by adopting Indira's vision and the policies and programmes initiated by her as Prime Minister.

Haryana Congress president Phool Chand Mullana also said that Ms Indira Gandhi was a powerful woman Prime Minister who had enhanced the prestige of India at international level.

On this occasion, MPs Deepender Singh Hooda and Avtar Singh Bhadana, Chief Paliamentary Secretary Daharambir Singh, Parliamentary Secretary Dillu Ram, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Prof Virender Singh and Media Advisor Sunder Pal Singh were also present.

UNI