Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan administers Sadbhanava Day Pledge

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 (ANI): The Governor of Maharashtra, C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday administered the ‘Sadhbhavana Day Pledge’ to the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan on the occasion of the 80th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The pledge, administered by the Governor at the official residence of Raj Bhavan calls upon people to ‘work for the emotional oneness and harmony of all the people of India regardless of caste, creed, region, religion or language’ and to ‘resolve all differences through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence’.

Earlier, the Governor also offered floral tributes to the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi. The birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi is observed as ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’. The idea behind the observance of Sadhbhavana Diwas is to encourage people to abstain from violence, promote national integration, promote communal harmony among people of all religions and goodwill among the people.

Principal Secretary to the Governor, Pravin Darade and Joint Secretary, Sweta Singhal were also present during the pledge, taking part in the ceremony of the Sadhbhavana pledge.

Many prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have paid tribute to the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, “tributes to our former Prime Minsiter Shri Rajiv Gandhi ji on his birth anniversary”, PM Modi had posted on X.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sachin Pilot among others have also paid their tributes in Veer Bhumi, New Delhi.

“Today the country is celebrating Sadbhavana Diwas. Former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was a great son of India. He ignited a ray of hope in crores of Indians and with his unprecedented contribution, he brought India into the 21st century. His many notable initiatives like lowering of voting age to 18 years, strengthening of Panchayati Raj, telecom and IT revolution, computerisation programmes, continuing peace accords, women empowerment, universal immunisation programme and new education policy with emphasis on inclusive education brought about transformational changes in the country,” Mallikarjun Kharge said in his message.

“A compassionate personality, an epitome of camaraderie and goodwill… Papa, your teachings are my inspiration, and your dreams for India are my own – I will fulfil them, taking your memories with me, ” Rahul Gandhi said in his message on X.

Rajiv Gandhi became the leader of the Congress party in 1984, after the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At the age of 40, he became India’s youngest Prime Minister.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.