28 Dec : In the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Party’s new headquarters to be located at the Kotla road in New Delhi.
The Grand old party of India’s freedom movement, the Indian National Congress turned 125 today.
Sonia Gandhi described the Congress as a national revolution which always stood for secular values.
Prime Minister Singh attributed the post-independence development of the country to the Congress leadership.
Describing the Congress as a “national revolution”, which led the country to Independence from Imperialist rule, its President Sonia Gandhi said the party always stood for secular values.
Addressing partymen on the occasion of the Indian National Congress entering its 125th year, she said, “The party has always promoted secularism through a consensual approach and has stood for protection of rights of the poor.”
The party has also played a major role in laying the foundation of modern India, she said.
Sonia Gandhi earlier hoisted the party flag at the Congress headquarters.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh highlighted the important roles by various Congress leaders in the country’s pre and post independence history.
Dr Singh also highlighted the steps taken by the Congress government in the critical fields of health, education, employement and development.
“Economic stability has also been the focus area of the party and it is our endeavour to fulfil the dreams of Rajiv Gandhi in the 21st century,” he said.
The Congress has drawn up elaborate programmes for the year-old celebrations and its units at the block, district and state levels have been asked to hold special functions to galvanise the cadre and rekindle the spirit of the Congress.
The construction of the new office is expected to be completed by the end of next year.