CP's Remarks at the meeting of PCC Presidents and GSs Friday, 12 March 2010

I Welcome you to this meeting which has been convened for a special purpose. This year, the Indian National Congress will complete 123 years of its existence and it is indeed a momentous occasion in our glorious history.

For the people of India and thousands of Congress men and women across the country, it is a time to recall the struggle, the inspiring leadership of the freedom movemnet under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and his colleagues and the supreme sacrifice by millions of Indians. It is also an occasion to acknowledge their laudable contribution in laying the foundations of a secular modern democratic, India. No other party can claim to have a legacy as rich as ours.

Our 125th anniversary falls in the first year of the second term of the Congress led UPA government and holds a special political significance for us. The results of 2009 are an affirmation of the abiding faith of the Indian people in the values and programmes of the Congress, in our policy of inclusive growth for the welfare of the 'aam aadmi'.

This is the time for consolidation and an opportunity to reach our to each section of society, in each region of the country and connect with the masses. Our young people must be made aware of the history of the struggle for independence. We need to reach out to them as they hold the key to the future.

The AICC has taken a decision to launch a year-login commemoration, by holding a special public function at Jallianwalla Bagh in Amritsar on April 13. The date symbolize the sacrifice, the martyrdom of thousands of men and women. It has enormous historical importance and holds immense emotional and patriotic appeal for our people.

The AICC National Preparatory Committee, has drawn up a list of historical landmarks in our freedom movement, - major Satyagrahas launched by Mahatma Gandhi - at Dandi, Champaran, Bardoli, Kheda; the hostoric Quit India call and the call for Sampoorna Swaraj. Also a list of significant AICC resolutions is also being compiled. We need to hold befitting commemorative activities around these events, specially in venues/sites associated with them.

AICC is also planning a series of national seminars, each of which associated with our feedom struggle.

We will also be bringing out a number of publicaitons to mark the 125 year of foundation of INC. On the occasion of Congress centenary, four volumes of history were published and we shall bring out two more to cover the years from 1964 to to-date. A Primer for Congress workers is also being prepared, capturing the key landmarks in our long journey, which would be released on 9th August 2010.

Apart from these initiatives, each Pradesh Congress Committee is free to prepare a schedule of commemorative activities associated with dates of historical significance specific to that State.

These programmes must not be simply routines. The message that must be conveyed, has to be properly articulated, drawing upon the past, building on the present and projecting a vision for the future. Our abiding commitment to the empowerment of aam aadmi must be conveyed with clarity. The Right to Information marked a revolutionary step for transparent governance, empowering our citizens to hold us accountable for our actions. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act empowered the rural masses with guaranteed right to work. The right to education will provide quality primary education to all our children and now, the Women's Reservation Bill - when it comes to fruition it would be the realization of Rajiv ji's vision to empower women politically.

The year-long commemoration will culminate in a Special AICC session in December 2010.

Effective coordination is crucial between PCC Presidents, CMs, CLP leaders and the AICC General Secretaries in-charge of the States. I will therefore, request you to constantly in touch, in so doing we will ensure the effectiveness and success of our year-long celebrations.

Thank you.