JAMMU, Oct 2: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party Provincial President Jammu Province Manjit Singh, along with senior party leaders, paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their respective birth anniversaries at the party headquarters in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, today.
The leaders remembered the immense contribution of both national icons and highlighted the relevance of their ideals in the present-day social and political environment. Floral tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, with party leaders recalling their commitment to truth, simplicity, patriotism, discipline and public service.
Speaking on the occasion, Manjit Singh said that the teachings and principles of Mahatma Gandhi remain highly relevant, particularly for the younger generation. He urged the youth to follow Gandhiji’s ideals of truth, non-violence, tolerance, peace and compassion, saying that these values assume greater significance at a time when the world is witnessing tensions and a growing struggle for dominance among nations.
Singh said that technological and economic progress alone cannot ensure a peaceful and harmonious society unless accompanied by strong moral values and a commitment to humanity. “The younger generation has a crucial role in shaping the future of the country. Gandhiji’s message of truth, non-violence and peaceful coexistence can guide our youth in confronting the challenges of the modern world,” he said.
Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri, Manjit Singh said that the former Prime Minister represented simplicity, integrity, discipline and a deep commitment to the nation. He called upon politicians and public representatives to draw inspiration from Shastri Ji’s life and practise politics based on morality, ethics and accountability.
Singh said that holding public office should be viewed as an opportunity to serve people rather than as a means of gaining power or personal benefits. “Selfless service to the people must remain the primary objective of every public representative. Politics should be driven by principles, honesty and responsibility towards society,” he said.
Manjit Singh further said that the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party was constituted with the objective of bringing a politics of honesty, truth and public service to Jammu and Kashmir. He credited Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari with providing the organisation with a political vision centred on practical issues, public welfare and honest politics.Singh said that the ideals of Gandhi Ji and Shastri Ji provide an important moral framework for public life and that political parties and leaders must continuously introspect and remain connected with the concerns of ordinary people.
On the occasion, senior Apni Party leaders and workers also paid homage to both national leaders and pledged to uphold the values of truth, integrity, peaceful coexistence and dedicated public service. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Arun Chibber, Vice President; Bodh Raj Bhagat, President, SC Wing; Ajaz Kazmi, Provincial Secretary and In-charge, Trade Wing; Abhay Bakaya, District President Jammu; Tableen Bobarai, Provincial President Apni Party Student Union; Farooq Chouhan, Vice President, District Samba; Neelam Gupta, Senior Vice President, District Jammu; Shikha Bhardwaj, District Secretary Jammu; Dalbir Singh, District President, Minority Wing Jammu; Shivam Choudhary, District President, Youth Wing; Inder Pal Singh, District President, Minority Wing (Rural); and Ashok Sharma, Vice President, besides other senior party leaders and party workers.