Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20th August 1944. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984-1989. Rajiv Gandhi was India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40. His birth anniversary is observed as Sadbhavana Diwas.
Sadbhavana Diwas 2020 marks the 76th birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister. Several events are organized remembering Rajiv Gandhi on this day. This year there are fewer events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On 21st May, 1991 he was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sri Perumbudur in Tamil Nadu. Rajiv Gandhi took charge of the Congress in 1984 after the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Achievements
• Economic policies
He didn’t follow the pathway of Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru; the economic policies adopted by Rajiv Gandhi were different. He took the decision to get rid of the license and quota Raj. He reformed import policies related to telecommunication, defense, and commercial airline and at the same time reduced tax on technological industry. He put emphasis on modernizing industries to attract higher foreign investment in the economy.
• Domestic Policies
In the year of 1986, Rajiv Gandhi announced a “national education policy” to modernize and expand higher education programs across India. He was the first Prime Minister who tried to introduce new technologies in India. His idea to introduce telecom services in India led to setting-up of the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, popularly known as MTNL. As Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi aspired to eliminate the corrupt and criminal faces within the Indian National Congress party.
Remembering him on this day
Rahul Gandhi today visited his father’s memorial at Veer Bhumi. In a tweet earlier, the Congress leader said, “Rajiv Gandhi was a man with a tremendous vision, far ahead of his times. But above all else, he was a compassionate and loving human being. I am incredibly lucky and proud to have him as my father. We miss him today and every day.”
The Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh will transfer money into the bank accounts of farmers on Sadbhavna Diwas. The Chhattisgarh government announced that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will transfer 1737.50 crore into the bank accounts of farmers, tendu leaf collectors and dung sellers. Chief Minister will do online transfer of 1500 crores to the bank accounts of 19 lakh paddy, sugarcane and corn producing farmers as the second installment under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisaan Nyay Yojana.
Several Congress leaders tweeted tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on Sadbhavana Diwas. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote on social media, Rajiv Gandhi transformed India into a modern nation focusing on technological advancement with his progressive vision.
Ritiesh Deshmukh, actor and son or former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh paid his tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on Sadbhavna Diwas. In a series of tweets, actor and politician, Shatrughan Sinha wrote and paid his tribute towards him.
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