Mail News Service
\nImphal, Dec 10: Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary of the AICC today called upon all the politicians to work honestly with a principle . Addressing a public meeting at Hapta Kangjeibung here today the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family said political leaders should try to \u201chear the voice of as many people as possible\u201d. He said he dreams of India with every voice being heard.
\nWhen Mary Kom of Manipur won the bronze medal in London Olympics it became a voice of the country he said. Each and every state should be treated as the centre of the country and all should be equally treated he added. Voice of the people will come through education, proper roads, job and a villager getting benefit of PMGSY road means his voice was heard he added.
\nMillions are getting benefit of job security under MGNREGS and RTI, Food Security have benefitted all he further said. The mission of the government is to ensure that the local bodies are given full power he further assured. In states like JK, UP, Jharkhand powers are not properly devolved to local bodies. What is the point of holding local body elections if power are not given to them he asked.
\nRepresentatives of local bodies are in touch with people at local levels than MP, MLAs and they should be given powers he said. After RTI, food security , MGREGS the new tool given for the people is, \u201cdirect cash transfer\u201d he added. He said Rs 2 lakh crore would now be directly transferred to the people. He reminded that his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said only 15 paise out of Re 1 meant for the people reaches the people.
\nAs India moves forward we have to understand that India is strong of its different languages, cultures. After addressing the public meeting he addressed Congress youths and discussed various issues. He said there is a tendency for leaders to distance themselves from the people as they go higher. They should try to reach out to people more after they move up he said.
\nCongress Gen Secy, Faliero said 60 percent of India\u2019s population are youths and people of the country are looking on Rahul Gandhi to lead them. Chief Minister, O Ibobi singh said the region has fond memories of the Gandhi, Nehru family however the problems the region is facing has to be dealt with properly he said.
\nHe said Manipur has a unique history of over 2000 years and it became part of India in 1949 . He further said there are serious efforts to solve the problems of the region but we should be cautious that we do not create another problem while solving a problem he added.
\nHundreds of people had started trickling in to attend the meeting though the meeting was slated to begin at 11 am. Due to inclement weather the plane carrying Rahul Gandhi arrived late and the meeting started about one and half hour late. The 20,000 chairs were all filled up with large numbers of people standing near the barricades. Security was tightened around the premises and new traffic regulations were made for the day in and around the city. Rahul Gandhi left Imphal after attending the function.
\n\u201cThe local bodies (Panchayati Raj institutions and other local bodies) are closer to the common man. They know better about the problems at the grass root level than those of MLAs and the MPs and so devolving powers is important because you are the one who can deliver goods better.\u201d Rahul Gandhi pointed out that in many states of India including Jammu and Kashmir and Jarkhand powers have not been given to the local bodies. \u201cDevolving of power to these local bodies is very important,\u201d the AICC leader re-iterated.
\nRahul Gandhi expressed his regret that majority of the politicians often fail to apply ethics and principles in their work.
\nHe then stressed for the building of a strong future of India. \u201cWe need to build the country\u2019s future with the participation of every citizen of India\u2014the strong, the weak, the small and the big\u2014all are equally important in building a very strong future of India,\u201d Rahul Gandhi said.
\nHarping on the unity front Rahul Gandhi said, \u201cI love coming to the North East region. You are here today and for many it is the north eastern part of India, certainly. But for me, this part of India is the centre of our crountry. When I visit Tamil Nadu, it is the central part of India for me. I may be in Mumbai or in Rajasthan, they are the central parts of India for me. This is my politics.\u201d The AICC leader said that every citizen of India should feel at home in every part of India. \u201cWe are proud that large number of young boys and girls are working in Delhi,\u201d Rahul added. He also expressed that he feels proud for boxer MC Mary Kom.
\nHe then said Congress party stands for India but other political parties work for one community or for one religion. \u201cBut the Congress party stands for India, the united India,\u201d Rahul Gandh exhorted.<\/p>\n\n