Mysuru: Hailing late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a statesman and a great human activist, District In-charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa said that it was important to spread Indira Gandhi’s message on the country’s unity and integrity to the younger generation of today.

He was speaking after inaugurating Indira Gandhi Birth Centenary celebration organised by the City and District Congress in the premises of Congress Bhavan besides City Railway Station here this morning.

Recalling Indira Gandhi’s contribution to the country, he said that the late PM was instrumental in nationalising banks in the late 1960s, which resulted in the common man becoming closer to banks.

Pointing out that Indira Gandhi always stood for unity, integrity and harmony of the country, Dr. Mahadevappa said that she took some hard decisions in the interests of the country.

Maintaining that Indira Gandhi was a committed Congress leader who led the country through sheer grit and determination, he asserted that Indira Gandhi was a strong leader who took the right decisions for the cause of the country. The Minister further said that a State-level convention of minorities will be held in the premises on Nov. 30, during which the Congress Bhavan will be inaugurated. Earlier Dr. Mahadevappa and other Congress leaders offered floral tributes to the portrait of Indira Gandhi.

MLA Vasu, MLC R. Dharmasena, City Congress President R. Murthy and others were present.