Dharmapuri: Telangana Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar said former Prime Minister and late Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi played a crucial role in laying the foundation for India’s future and helping the country emerge as a nation capable of competing with the world.

The minister participated in the Rajiv Gandhi Jayanti celebrations organised by the Dharmapuri Mandal Congress Party at Nandi Chowrasta in Dharmapuri. He paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi and recalled his contributions to the nation.

Speaking to the media, Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar said Rajiv Gandhi introduced computers to India during his tenure as Prime Minister. He said the technological vision initiated under Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership eventually helped India gain global recognition in the software sector, enabling lakhs of skilled Indians to establish careers in the IT industry across the world.

The minister also highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to reduce the voting age from 21 to 18 years, enabling greater participation of young people in the country’s democratic process. He said Rajiv Gandhi undertook several initiatives aimed at strengthening national unity and integrity.

Adluri Laxman Kumar said leaders such as Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made the supreme sacrifice for the people of the country. He urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from Rajiv Gandhi and work towards strengthening India’s unity and integrity.

Dharmapuri Municipal Chairperson Vemula Nagalakshmi, Jagitial District Library Organisation Chairman Sanghanapandla Dinesh, municipal councillors, Congress leaders Vemula Raju, Soulla Bheemanna and others participated in the programme.