Date:15/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/15/stories/2006041514860400.htm

New Delhi

Sonia flags off "shobha yatra"

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday flagged off a "shobha yatra" from her residence at 10 Janpath to mark the 115th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. The programme was organised by All-India Congress Committee secretary and Delhi MLA Jai Kishan.

Several senior Congress leaders including Ashok Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Janardan Dwivedi, Ajay Maken and several party MP participated.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Gandhi asked people to follow the path shown by the great freedom fighter and Dalit leader. Lauding the role played by Dr. Ambedkar in uplifting the downtrodden and backward people in the country, Ms. Gandhi said the Congress was following the principles and policies of Dr. Ambedkar.

Mr. Jai Kishan thanked Ms. Gandhi for her "dynamic leadership". He also urged people to strengthen the hands of the Congress president so that the nation could progress fast.