Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), 25-11-2010

Education should reach all sections of people, particularly youth.

Expressing concern over the problems faced by the people in Manipur because of the menace of militancy in the region, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday said any problem could be solved only through dialogue and not violence.
Sonia Gandhi said it was now time to work together for peace and development and every section of society must get the benefits of various developmental programmes being implemented with the help of the Centre.
"Education should reach all sections of people, particularly youth and with an intention of improving education, the Centre had converted the former J N Hospital into Jawahal Lal National Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal and asked the youths to utilise these facilities to become best doctors," she added, while addressing a public meeting at the historic Kangla fort here today.

Together with development, what UP and Bihar need desperately is large scale improvement in the law and order, without which the overall picture cannot change

"It is an important issue and we need to be very strict on corruption... the government is in the process of taking strong action," he told reporters here.




"Development in UP is low as compared to what could have been done, but there are certain constraints. You can see the state of roads even outside the auditorium," he said. 


"If the UP government's focus is in the right direction, the state could be developed... there are no shortcomings in the people here," he said.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Monday said that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are very important states for the entire nation and their development was necessary for nation building.

'Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are extremely important for the entire nation and unless these two states were developed, all talk about nation building would be meaningless,' Gandhi said here.

'Together with development, what UP and Bihar need desperately is large scale improvement in the law and order, without which the overall picture cannot change,' he pointed out.

Rahul Gandhi also expressed concern over rising corruption and emphasised the need for strict action against the menace.

'Corruption is a serious issue and we have already initiated certain tough measures to deal with it,' he said in reply to a pointed query by a journalist just as he rose to leave the venue.

Reacting to his emphasis on the need for development of a backward Uttar Pradesh, when a scribe pointed out his own focus was on Amethi and Rae Bareli (his mother Sonia Gandhi's constituency), Rahul Gandhi shot back, 'Well, even Amethi and Rae Bareli still require much more development.'

He blamed the state government for not focusing its attention on the need for development of the entire state.

Earlier, speaking at the function, he exhorted the youth to realise that they were the 'nation builders of tomorrow', and the future of the nation depended on them.

Significantly, this was one of the rare occasions during his Rae Bareli or Amethi visits when he interacted with the media, which is usually keeps at an arm's length from him.

Lets seek for a world without nuclear weapons

Now, let me suggest that with increased power comes increased responsibility. The United Nations exists to fulfill its founding ideals of preserving peace and security, promoting global cooperation, and advancing human rights. These are the responsibilities of all nations, but especially those that seek to lead in the 21st century. And so we look forward to working with India—and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership—to ensure that the Security Council is effective; that resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced; and that we strengthen the international norms which recognize the rights and responsibilities of all nations and individuals.

This includes our responsibility to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Since I took office, the United States has reduced the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, and agreed with Russia to reduce our arsenals. We have put preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism at the top of our nuclear agenda, and strengthened the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime—the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Together, the United States and India can pursue our goal of securing the world’s vulnerable nuclear materials. We can make it clear that even as every nation has the right to peaceful nuclear energy, every nation must also meet its international obligations—and that includes the Islamic Republic of Iran. And together, we can pursue a vision that Indian leaders have espoused since independence—a world without nuclear weapons.

This leads me to the final area where our countries can partner—strengthening the foundations of democratic governance, not only at home but abroad.

In the United States, my administration has worked to make government more open and transparent and accountable to the people. Here in India, you’re harnessing technologies to do the same, as I saw yesterday. Your landmark Right to Information Act is empowering citizens with the ability to get the services to which they’re entitled and to hold officials accountable. Voters can get information about candidates by text message. And you’re delivering education and health care services to rural communities, as I saw yesterday when I joined an e-panchayat with villagers in Rajasthan.

Now, in a new collaboration on open government, our two countries are going to share our experience, identify what works, and develop the next-generation of tools to empower citizens. And in another example of how American and Indian partnership can address global challenges, we’re going to share these innovations with civil society groups and countries around the world. We’re going to show that democracy, more than any other form of government, delivers for the common man—and woman.

Likewise, when Indians vote, the whole world watches. Thousands of political parties. Hundreds of thousands of polling centers. Millions of candidates and poll workers, and 700 million voters. There’s nothing like it on the planet. There is so much that countries transitioning to democracy could learn from India’s experience; so much expertise that India could share with the world. That, too, is what’s possible when the world’s largest democracy embraces its role as a global leader.

As the world’s two largest democracies, we must also never forget that the price of our own freedom is standing up for the freedom of others. Indians know this, for it is the story of your nation. Before he ever began his struggle for Indian independence, Gandhi stood up for the rights of Indians in South Africa. Just as others, including the United States, supported Indian independence, India championed the self-determination of peoples from Africa to Asia as they too broke free from colonialism. And along with the United States, you’ve been a leader in supporting democratic development and civil society groups around the world. This, too, is part of India’s greatness.

Every country will follow its own path. No one nation has a monopoly on wisdom, and no nation should ever try to impose its values on another. But when peaceful democratic movements are suppressed—as in Burma—then the democracies of the world cannot remain silent. For it is unacceptable to gun down peaceful protestors and incarcerate political prisoners decade after decade. It is unacceptable to hold the aspirations of an entire people hostage to the greed and paranoia of a bankrupt regime. It is unacceptable to steal an election, as the regime in Burma has done again for all the world to see.

Faced with such gross violations of human rights, it is the responsibility of the international community—especially leaders like the United States and India—to condemn it. If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often avoided these issues. But speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. It’s not violating the rights of sovereign nations. It’s staying true to our democratic principles. It’s giving meaning to the human rights that we say are universal. And it sustains the progress that in Asia and around the world has helped turn dictatorships into democracies and ultimately increased our security in the world.

Promoting shared prosperity. Preserving peace and security. Strengthening democratic governance and human rights. These are the responsibilities of leadership. And, as global partners, this is the leadership that the United States and India can offer in the 21st century. Ultimately, however, this cannot be a relationship only between presidents and prime ministers, or in the halls of this parliament. Ultimately, this must be a partnership between our peoples. So I want to conclude by speaking directly to the people of India watching today.

In your lives, you have overcome odds that might have overwhelmed a lesser country. In just decades, you have achieved progress and development that took other nations centuries. And now you are assuming your rightful place as a leader among nations. Your parents and grandparents imagined this. Your children and grandchildren will look back on this. But only you—this generation of Indians—can seize the possibility of this moment.

As you carry on with the hard work ahead, I want every Indian citizen to know: the United States of America will not simply be cheering you on from the sidelines. We will be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder. Because we believe in the promise of India. And we believe that the future is what we make it.

We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person can fulfill their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr. Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians.

We believe that no matter where you live—whether a village in Punjab or the bylanes of Chandni Chowk…an old section of Kolkata or a new high-rise in Bangalore—every person deserves the same chance to live in security and dignity, to get an education, to find work, and to give their children a better future.

And we believe that when countries and cultures put aside old habits and attitudes that keep people apart, when we recognize our common humanity, then we can begin to fulfill the aspirations we share. It’s a simple lesson contained in that collection of stories which has guided Indians for centuries—the Panchtantra. And it’s the spirit of the inscription seen by all who enter this great hall: ‘That one is mine and the other a stranger is the concept of little minds. But to the large-hearted, the world itself is their family.”

This is the story of India; it’s the story of America—that despite their differences, people can see themselves in one another, and work together and succeed together as one proud nation. And it can be the spirit of the partnership between our nations—that even as we honor the histories which in different times kept us apart, even as we preserve what makes us unique in a globalized world, we can recognize how much we can achieve together.

And if we let this simple concept be our guide, if we pursue the vision I have described today—a global partnership to meet global challenges—then I have no doubt that future generations—Indians and Americans—will live in a world that is more prosperous, more secure, and more just because of the bonds that our generation forged today.

Thank you, Jai Hind!, and long live the partnership between India and the United States.

The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan—or the region—to the violent extremists who threaten us all.

As we work to advance our shared prosperity, we can partner to address a second priority—our shared security. In Mumbai, I met with the courageous families and survivors of that barbaric attack. And here in this Parliament, which was itself targeted because of the democracy it represents, we honor the memory of all those who have been taken from us, including American citizens on 26/11 and Indian citizens on 9/11.

This is the bond we share. It’s why we insist that nothing ever justifies the slaughter of innocent men, women and children. It’s why we’re working together, more closely than ever, to prevent terrorist attacks and to deepen our cooperation even further. And it’s why, as strong and resilient societies, we refuse to live in fear, we will not sacrifice the values and rule of law that defines us, and we will never waver in the defense of our people.

America’s fight against al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates is why we persevere in Afghanistan, where major development assistance from India has improved the lives of the Afghan people. We’re making progress in our mission to break the Taliban’s momentum and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead for their security. And while I have made it clear that American forces will begin the transition to Afghan responsibility next summer, I have also made it clear that America’s commitment to the Afghan people will endure. The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan—or the region—to the violent extremists who threaten us all.

Our strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region. The Pakistani government increasingly recognizes that these networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistan—they are a threat to the Pakistani people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent extremists.

And we will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice. We must also recognize that all of us have and interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic—and none more so than India.

In pursuit of regional security, we will continue to welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, even as we recognize that disputes between your two countries can only be resolved by the people of your two countries.

Jay Hind

Jay Hind

India and US will go forward with confidence to defeat terrorism

Its never too late or too early to start changing this world for the better

Those who target the innocents they are for nothing but death and destruction

Working for poor, to know them and talk to them is the way to re-generate Congress in states where we are behind other parties.

Demolition of Babri Masjid was a shameful, criminal act - for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice

“We have made alliances with different parties at the Centre and in states. We do respect our allies. But it does not mean that we stop efforts to grow our organisation or abdicate our political space,” Ms. Gandhi said in her opening address at the day-long AICC session here.


In her inaugural speech, Gandhi said the Congress and the governments led by her party will "forcefully" resist attempts by anyone to abuse religion for political gains.

Talking about the September 30 Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, she said it in "no way condones" the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6,1992.

The demolition was a "shameful, criminal act" and "all those responsible must be brought to justice," she said.

Taking the attack a notch further, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee piloted an AICC statement that said "recent revelations through detailed investigations have exposed the true character of RSS and its sister organisations. The investigations indicate the involvement of its members in terrorist activities."

Justifying the inclusion of references to the RSS, Mukherjee said, "The RSS organisation is to be exposed. Their links with terrorist activities which have been recently highlighted through the revelations are to be brought in."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed the role of Sonia Gandhi as the "longest serving" party President for the last 12 years and her efforts in bringing the party to power at the Centre for a second continuous term.

He expressed confidence that under her leadership the party would continue to be in power for a long time.

"I speak for all of us when I express my anguish at the loss of young lives in Kashmir. I share their grief. Their loss is a national loss. The whole generation has seen nothing but violence and conflict," she said.

She said the priority should be on development of the state. "There has to be a meaningful political dialogue with all parties and all region," she said.

On terrorism, she said the "threat is for real and we will never relax our vigil against terrorism".

Launching a blistering attack on communal forces, Gandhi said the Allahabad High Court ruling on the Ayodhya title suit "in no way - in no way- condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.This was shameful- a criminal act - for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice".

"We all remember how tense the country was in the days prior to the judgement.It is a tribute to our people that they ensured that peace and harmony prevailed," she said.

"Broader message for us all is that our fight against communalism of all kinds, against fanaticism of all types has to continue unabated.This is a political struggle for a secular India," the Congress President said.

Gandhi utilised the occasion to express concern over rising prices, noting that though inflation has come down to an extent, still it needs to be further brought down.

At the same time, she put the onus on the state governments to maintain the price line.

She noted that the states were responsible for operating PDS as also to take action against black-marketeers, hoarders and speculators.

She wanted partymen in opposition-ruled states to take the lead in pressurising the governments there to take action in this regard.

Progress of India without Bihar and UP is unthinkable---Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally in Begusarai (Bihar), part 2 , 30th Octo...

Our work is to work for poor people----Rahul Gandhi in Bhagalpur (Bihar), 30th October 2010