Priyanka, Rahul by her side, Sonia Gandhi salutes Indira's courage

ALLAHABAD: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today recalled the sacrifices made by her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for national unity because of which she continued to live in the hearts of people.

Accompanied by children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, the Congress chief, while inaugurating a photo exhibition on the life of Indira Gandhi at the Nehru-Gandhi family's ancestral home here, remembered the former PM's courage and compassion and exhorted everyone to draw inspiration from her life that was full of challenges.

"The most important takeaway from this exhibition is the inspiration Indiraji's brave and courageous life gives us...... Courage was her unique quality with which she fought all adversities. We still remember her sacrifices for the sake of national unity. She lives in the hearts of people. We can draw lessons from her glorious life," Sonia Gandhi said at Swaraj Bhavan, where Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917.

On the occasion of the photo show titled, "Indira - A Life of Courage", Sonia Gandhi spoke of the former Prime Minister's dedication to the cause of national unity and her struggles against separatist forces.

She told Congress leaders present there that adversities can be overcome.

"Indiraji's life was dedicated to the poor and the underprivileged for whom she took personal pains. She stood by all Indians and believed in India's diversity. She bravely fought the separatist forces that sought to divide our country. Indiraji loved the people and got their generous support in return," she said.

With senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sheila Dikshit, Raj Babbar, Pramod Tewari besides family friend and journalist Suman Dubey present, Sonia said Indira Gandhi faced many challenges in her 16 years as Prime Minister with courage.

"She faced challenges on the economic and foreign policy front, challenges of war and terrorism but was determined in all situations.

"Her concern was that our country should remain united and we should stand on our own feet. She wanted to make India a nation where everyone is safe, a nation in which everyone takes pride," she said as Priyanka sat among the select audience.

This was Priyanka's first formal public appearance in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh where she is likely to play a major role during the campaigning for the 2017 elections.

Priyanka had recently attended a core committee meeting of UP Congress signalling her readiness to canvass for the party outside of Amethi and Rae Bareilly, Lok Sabha constituencies represented by her brother Rahul Gandhi and mother respectively.

Her formal appearance in UP was long expected to be at Allahabad and more precisely from her family home where she was present with her mother and brother today.