The Indian Panorama

Tag: Indian National Congress @INCIndia

  • Rahul Gandhi falls back on family ties to woo Kashmiris

    Rahul Gandhi falls back on family ties to woo Kashmiris

    Z-MORH, SONMARG (TIP): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday amid reports of growing differences between his party and ruling coalition partner National Conference and threat to panchayat members. He identified himself as a Kashmiri to reach out to the people and said he wanted to understand their pain.
    “I want to hear you, understand your problems and work for their redressal,” said Rahul.

    At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel at Sonamarg, about 85 km from Srinagar to be built in five years by the Border Roads Organisation, Rahul said, “I am from a Kashmiri family and want to have lifelong relations with the people of J&K. No power can separate us.”

    The Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh section of the NH 1 is the first step towards all-weather road connectivity in the state. Another tunnel would be built at Zojila Pass about 22 km from Z-Morh tunnel.

    Rahul wanted the youth of J&K to be involved in the development of the state. “Every state has enjoyed its share in the development process. J&K also deserves all-round development and economic welfare,” Rahul said.

    Rahul recalled the close ties between CM Omar Abdullah’s grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Rajiv Gandhi’s relations with Omar’s father Farooq Abdullah. He wanted to work with Omar Abdullah similarly for the betterment of J&K.

    Omar reciprocated with fond memories of the ties between his family with the Gandhis and called Rahul a “personal friend”.

    Omar said attempts were made to address the Kashmir issue. “My grandfather (Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) and Jawahar Lal Nehru joined hands for the progress of this state and country. Then Rajiv-Farooq accord happened. The agenda was one that somehow the political issues of J&K be solved through dialogue,” he said.

    Farooq Abdullah said there would be problems along their way but they should remain steadfast in their endeavours. “Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah joined hands for a progressive Kashmir.

  • Forbes Names Sonia Gandhi 6th Most Influential Woman

    Forbes Names Sonia Gandhi 6th Most Influential Woman

    One of the five Indian women in Forbes list of 100 most influential women of the world, Sonia Gandhi tops them and has been ranked 6th, a notch better than last year when she was ranked 7th

    NEW YORK (TIP): Congress party president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was ranked the sixth most powerful woman in the world on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential women.

    She was placed ahead of U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped the list.

    Gandhi, 65, was one of five Indian women among the 100 top women of the world. She ranked seventh last year.
    PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi was ranked 12th, followed by Cisco Systems chief technology and strategy officer Padmasree Warrior in 58th place, ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar at 59th and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in 80th place.

    Forbes said Gandhi, “one-time heir to the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty,” successfully underwent surgery last year and was “back in fighting spirit last month when she publicly reprimanded a fellow parliamentarian during session who had criticized her party’s handling of this summer’s rioting in Assam.”

    “Lauded for overseeing heavy economic growth, she is also criticized for tolerating political corruption and failing to forge connections with India’s fastest-growing demographic —younger voters,” the publication said