Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) organised blood donation camps across the state to mark the 71st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi today.
Fifteen camps were organised in the state’s 11 districts and 514 units of blood were collected.
Four camps were organised in Kangra district and 161 units of blood were collected while 61 units were collected in Solan and 57 units in state capital Shimla, HPCC president Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu said.
A function was organised at the HPCC office here to pay tributes to Rajiv. The programme was attended by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, besides Sukkhu and other party functionaries.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister described the former Prime Minister as a “visionary and brave leader” who sacrificed his life for maintaining the unity and integrity of the country.
Sukkhu said Rajiv Gandhi was admired by all for his “futuristic thinking”, which had led to IT revolution in the country. The HPCC president urged the party workers to follow the ideals of Rajiv which he said would be a real tribute the former Prime Minister.
Rajiv, who heralded the information and communication technology revolution in the country, was born on August 20, 1944 and served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated by the LTTE on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during election campaign.