Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi slam Union Budget 2014-15

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the Union Budget for 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, saying it has nothing new to offer.

“It is a mere continuation of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s schemes. There is nothing new, they have merely continued our schemes," said Sonia Gandhi.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi echoed similar sentiments and called the Union Budget a laundry list of Rs 100 crore. "The budget is just a laundry list of Rs 100 crore proposals and is all about usurping UPA government ideas," he said."It will not quicken the economic pulse, in fact, it will slow it down," added Rahul Gandhi.

The Union Budget for 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Parliament on Thursday left income tax rates unchanged but provided sops to small and marginal assessees by raising the threshold exemption limit from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh and investments under 80C by Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh while promising not to bring tax changes with retrospective effect.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said the finance minister had gone overboard on mindless populism by allocating just Rs 100 crore each to more than 28 schemes. "While there is 12% increase in the allocation for defence, there is no increase in the budgetary provision for health and education and the finance minister has totally neglected women's sector," Singh said.

He said there was nothing extraordinary. "He has spoken of five more IITs and IIMs. The allocation for the purpose is just Rs 500 crore, when an IIT requires Rs 1,500-Rs 2000 crore," he said. Singh said as leader of opposition, Jaitley had demanded that I-T exemption limit be raised to Rs 5 lakh, which he had not been able to fulfill as finance minister. At the AICC briefing, Singh said the budget did have some minimalist attempts at new direction and new aspects, which Congress welcomed cautiously, like increasing FDI in defence and start up fund for village entrepreneurship for rural areas. "But if you see the vast landscape of the budget, it is a reasonless, directionless, impractical and unfeasible document. It is totally disproportionate to all the hype created during their election campaign... Full of sound and fury signifying nothing”.

"If with this mandate you are not able to give a new direction and momentum, can this nation expect better from them in future. From your statements it seemed as if you are going to offer a paradise or a least a mini paradise. At least you could have offered the promised achche din to people," the Congress spokesperson said. He also claimed that almost 90-95% schemes mentioned in the budget were continuation from the UPA regime.

Rahul Gandhi slams Rail budget, calls it vision less

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today slammed the railway budget, saying it lacks vision and offers nothing for the poor.

"It's a poor budget. Many states like Kerala and West Bengal have been left out," Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament building following the presentation of the railway budget by Rail Minister Sadananda Gowda. Kerala is a Congress-ruled state while West Bengal is ruled by Trinamool Congress, an erstwhile UPA ally.

Rahul Gandhi said there is "nothing for the poor" in the budget and that it is "unimaginative" and "lacks any strategic vision". The rail budget has come under a blistering attack from the opposition with Congress, Trinamool Congress and Left parties lambasting the government over the issues of FDI, privatisation and the PPP route.

Congress party too on Tuesday latched on to the Railway budget to claim there was a "capitalist" tilt to the functioning of the Narendra Modi government and that it was bent upon privatising the railways.

Looking to put the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dispensation in the dock over railway budget 2014-15, Congress not only protested inside Parliament but also held an agitation outside the residence of Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda.

"(The NDA) government's direction for the country is diametrically opposite to that of the socialist path. Everything is being done to appease the capitalists. Social obligations of our (previous UPA) government have been criticised as if we'd committed a mistake in following them. We apprehend that the government is heading more and more towards privatisation," Congress MP and former Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters at an All India Congress Committee (AICC) briefing.

Rahul Gandhi: Necessary steps be taken for women safety and security

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today called for taking all necessary steps to improve law and order to ensure safety and security of women in the wake of repeated incidents of rape coming to light across the country.

He also called for changing the people’s mindset, which, he said, is a “major challenge” and needs to be addressed urgently. “We must take all necessary steps to improve law and order to ensure safety and security for women. But changing mindset is a major challenge and one that we must address urgently. There can be no development, no prosperity and no progress if such barbarism is allowed to continue,” he said in a statement.

Rahul Gandhi said it was “deeply disturbing” to hear about “gruesome” incidents where women are made a target of such “extreme violence”. Referring to the brutal rape and murder of two young girls in Badaun in UP and the recent rape of a minor girl in Jhalawar in Rajasthan, he said an alleged rape, which had taken place in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi yesterday, “is unacceptable”.

“I am extremely saddened to learn of an alleged rape in Amethi. The matter is under investigation. We are closely monitoring the situation and following up with the district administration to ensure that all the facts come to light and justice is meted out quickly,” he said.

Hold BJP to its promises, Rahul Gandhi tells Youth Congress leaders

NEW DELHI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told partymen that BJP had made a mountain of promises and the coming months would be the time to hold them to their manifesto.

The Congress vice-president told leaders of Youth Congress that protests would be the way of politics in the opposition after the defeat in Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi said Congress should be ready to seize on the failings of the BJP government, of which non-fulfilment of promises would be a big component.

As far as Congress-led UPA government's record was concerned, the BJP could not touch the immense progress done under Manmohan Singh's regime, he said. Rahul was addressing a closed-door review meet of Youth Congress.

Further, a strong demand for Rahul Gandhi to take the role of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha was today made at a meeting of Indian Youth Congress (IYC). "Youth Congress leaders want Rahulji should be Leader of Opposition. Demand raised before leadership at Youth Congress meeting," IYC chief Rajeev Satav said in a tweet following the meeting.

Satav said that although Rahul Gandhi assured them that he would be with them through thick and thin, he did not reveal his mind over the demand for him to be Leader of Opposition. The IYC members also told Gandhi that they would back him the way they had backed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her difficult days. The meeting saw Rahul Gandhi asking the youth Congress unit to be battle- ready even as he promised widespread changes in Congress. "Rahulji urges youth Congress leaders to be ready for struggle. He addressed Youth Congress at Constitution Club, New Delhi," Satav said in another tweet after the nearly three-hour-long meeting.

Rahul Gandhi also told the gathering that the party would see greater representation of the youth and discussed the reasons that led to Congress ending up with its worst-ever tally of 44 MPs in Lok Sabha. A number of Congress general secretaries have been pitching for Gandhi to become the Leader of Opposition saying that since the Lok Sabha polls had seen the Congress Vice President being pitted as the party's face against BJP's Narendra Modi, it was but natural for him to lead when the chips were down.

Rahul Gandhi at Mirzapur in UP takes on SP, BJP, BSP; attacks Modi model

Mirzapur: Congress Vice Presidcent Rahul Gandhi addressed a big election rally at Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur and attacked SP, BSP and BJP for the lack of development in the state. "The present state government does not talk about welfare of people or development of UP. You have a young CM but he also disappointed us. Earlier you had a government led by Ms Mayawati; it also did not do anything. I will not talk about BJP as it can never anything good for the people. I do not have expectation from BJP as it runs governments for only a handful of people" said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in UP: We want to empower you but BJP suppresses people’s strength

Chandauli (UP): After a spectacular road show in Varanasi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhilaunched yet another attack on BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi while speaking at an impressive election rally at Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

“We want people to have big dreams but BJP wants only Adani to dream big. We want to empower you but BJP suppresses your strength. BJP takes your money and hands it over to 2-3 industrialists” said the Congress leader.  “The most important contribution of this land is that you gave us an ideology – that of Lord Buddha. He had taught us to treat everyone equally and take all along. He had understood this ideology 3000 years back; he had travelled across India spreading the message of unity and peace. He taught us that every individual must have a space in our country. This has been the ideology of Congress too” he said further striking a chord with the huge crowd.

“Congress believes that the benefits of development must reach people. Opposition wants entire wealth must go to 2-3 industrialists” said Rahul Gandhi and clarified, “I am not saying that we must not help industrialists. We must support them. But what Congress wants to ensure that the benefits of development also reach common people and so we need to build a partnership between the poor and the business class. We do not want that people work hard and bring in development, and the entire wealth generated go to the pockets of a selected group”.

In another dig at BJP, the Congress Vice President added, “We want to build a strong foundation based on rights under the feet of every poor.  We want them too to have big dreams. We want to reform their lives.. The opposition parties do not such a vision. They want farmers to remain as farmers, workers to remain as workers. But Congress wants to bring in reforms in their lives. We want them to dream big and achieve big”.

The young Congress leader once again slammed Gujarat Model and said, “There are big talks about Modi’s Gujarat development. But let us just examine some of the facts of this much-hyped model. About 45000 acres of land in Gujarat were given to one businessman at Rs. 1 per mtr. These lands were belonging to poor farmers and they are now forced to work under MNREGA. They get food under Centre’s food security scheme. The entire budget for education and health of the Gujarat govt is just a mere Rs. 8000 cr but it gave Rs. 40000 cr to just one industrialist Adani. This is the ‘Gujarat model’ of BJP”.

“Indian Air Force had asked for lands in Gujarat from the Modi government but we had to wage a long battle for 7 years to get the approval from state government. Finally, it agreed to give land but at higher cost. But Modi government was ready give away land to Adani at Rs 1 per mtr! Adani did not anything in the land to help the poor. He, within a short span of time, sold those lands at Rs 8000 per mtr and earned huge profit” he said further.

“We talk about love and brotherhood. Just listen to the speeches of Congress leaders. We never abuse anyone. But just listen to the speeches BJP leaders. It is full of hatred and anger. They spread rumours and level baseless allegations. They shower abuses on others.  India can develop only if we work with love. India belongs to all Indians and it will ever remain so. That is what Lord Buddha taught us” said Rahul Gandhi while concluding his aggressive speech.

Textof speech by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at a public rally atChandauli , Uttar Pradesh

Rahul Gandhi at Allahabad (UP): BJP is filled with anger; its leaders abuse others

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge election rally at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. "You have been listening to Congress leaders' speeches. We never abuse any one; never use wrong words; don't show anger. But just hear out our opposition leaders. Their hearts are filled with anger. They abuse, spread wrong facts, level baseless allegations. Development will be possible only if we work with love. We work for unity and brotherhood. That is what Gandhi Ji, Nehru Ji and Patel Ji had taught us. We treat everyone equally; respect all religions without any discrimination" said the Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi in Amethi: Our rivals will vanish after the polls, but I am here always with you

Rahul Gandhi in Amethi takes on Modi attacks Gujarat model
 “Criticism is very easy. Leaders come and make long speeches attacking us and vanish. But delivering on promises and work for development is a different act altogether. It is not easy to connect 12 lakh women with SHG. Lots of efforts are required to accomplish it” said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi.
“Many leaders come to you and give away lectures. Their minds are filled with anger. I can tell you why. They are well aware that my relation with Amethi is not political, but it is a family relationship. India Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also have the same affectionate relationship with you and our rivals do not like this and they try to break it. That is why they behave angrily. Let them do whatever they want to do. My bond with people of Amethi is deep rooted and no one can ever break it” said the Amethi MP striking an emotional chord with the people.
“This election is a battle between two ideologies. One is that of Congress, which believes in unity and to work in harmony talking all communities together.. On the other side we have a politics based on anger. You have been listening to me; did you see me abusing anyone? Did I show any anger? Did I level any false allegation against anybody? No; but what about our rivals? Their hearts are filled with anger. They abuse, spread wrong facts, level baseless allegations. But I am never angry as I believe that only love can take us forward. Development will be possible only if we work with love” explained Rahul Gandhi.
“Our ideology is that ensuring welfare of the poor is mandatory for development. They need support and assistance from the government. The rich people are capable enough to look after themselves. They have huge bank accounts and ATM card. We want to give ATM cards to every poor” he added.
In a fresh attack on BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Congress leader lamented, “BJP and Modi do politics for just 2-3 industrialists. Modi government favoured them and now those businessmen fund for entire election campaigning of BJP and Modi. They spend a lot for marketing BJP. One must ask BJP leaders from where they get this huge fund for electioneering. This money is not of Modi but of those industrialists to which he handed over huge lands and contracts”.
We do not want such a politics... We are not against helping and supporting business class.. We value their contributions. We need to build partnership between industries and the poor. Together, we must work for taking our country forward” he asserted. “But BJP thinks just opposite. They never bother about welfare or upliftment of the weaker sections. They want development just for people like Adani” further said the Congress Vice President.
“These people (BJP) do not want to see your welfare. They just come here during elections, talk big and disappear. You will not see them after a day of the polls. But you will always see me, Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, here. We will keep coming to you and will fight for you. Your fight is mine too” said Rahul Gandhi while ending his speech.
Text of the speech by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi

Rahul Gandhi: UPA 3 will be formed again after the elections

Rahul Gandhi in Punjab: Modi wants only Adani to dream big, ignores the poor
Bhatinda: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launched yet another scathing attack on BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi while speaking at an election rally at Bhatinda in Punjab, on Monday.
“Congress is not against helping industries. We need to extend all our possible assistance and support to businessmen but it is wrong to give all facilities just to one businessman. For BJP, development means, progress of 2-3 industrialists... Congress wants all poor also to dream big. We want to uplift the weak and downtrodden. But Modi wants only Adani to have big dreams” said the Congress leader. “In Punjab, money meant for people’s welfare, goes to some selected businessmen. But Congress wants development to reach every person” he added.
Slamming Modi’s double-stance on corruption, Rahul Gandhi lamented, “Modi roams around and talks big of corruption but he does not see the large scale graft in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Gujarat. He has joined hands with former Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, who had gone to jail for corruption charges”.
Taking on NDA alluy SAD, the Congress Vice President said, “A delegation of Sikh farmers, working in Gujarat had come to me. They told me with tears in their eyes that Modi government called them ‘outsiders’ in Gujarat. They have been working hard in Gujarat since independence but today they face threat of eviction from the Gujarat government. The SAD, which runs a government in Punjab with BJP, does not utter a word against it”.
“We see posters of Modi and BJP on women empowerment. But BJP cadres beat up women in Karnataka. About 20000 women are missing in Chhattisgarh. Modi government in Gujarat has sent its entire police forces after a woman and tap her phone calls” said Rahul Gandhi in an direct attack on Modi.
“Just listen to the speeches of Modi and other BJP leaders. You will not see even a single word of appreciation about others. Their speeches are filled with anger and hatred. But please also hear the speeches of Congress leaders. We never abuse anyone. We talk with respect even about our enemies” he said further with a comment, ”Modi does not believe in people’s power. On the other hand Congress has faith in its people and their strength”. “Congress is going to form a government this time too after the elections. You will soon witness yet another tremendous growth” asserted the Congress leader.
“BJP and Punjab government blames Pakistan for the growing drug menace in the state. Pakistan may have some role. But what does the state government do? It also has a responsibility to fight this dangerous evil. Please allow Congress to form a government here. We will not run away from our responsibility by blaming Pakistan or America. If we get a chance to form a government in Punjab, the first thing we would do will be to fight this drug menace. We will eradicate this menace once we form a government here. Full stop”, concluded Rahul Gandhi.
Full text of the speech by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at PCPCL Sports Stadium Ground, Bathinda, Punjab

Rahul Gandhi at Kishanganj Bihar

Rahul Gandhi in Bihar: People have fine tuned radars to find out truths about claims of Modi

Kishanganj: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi continues his blistering attack on BJP and Modi’s ‘Gujarat model’ and hoped that the people have effective radars to find out the truth behind the ‘toffee model’.
“You must have heard about radars which are mainly used to track aeroplanes. Similarly the people, especially from Bihar, also possess fine tuned radars. It is highly technically effective so that truth can be easily found out” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a huge Congress rally at Bihar’s Kishanganj as part of his ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
He once again slammed the much hyped ‘Gujarat model’ and said, “About 45000 acres of land, almost the size of Purnia, has been given for a mere Rs 300 crore to a single industrialist – Adani- by Modi govt. Today, a toffee costs Rs. 1 but Modi government gave lands at Rs. 1. This is the ‘toffee model’. Same is the case with the major coastal line in Gujarat. A loan of Rs 10,000 crore was given to Tata at 0.1% interest rate for the Nano project. But a poor farmer can get loan only at an interest rate of 12%, but Tata gets loan at 0.1% interest rate for 25 years!”
“Let us examine some more facts of this ‘toffee model’ of BJP and Modi. About 40 lakh people in Gujarat are under BPL. 40% of the people are not getting adequate drinking water facilities in Gujarat; one out of two kids starves” he added.
“This election is a battle of two ideologies; between love and hatred. Congress talks with love, encourages brotherhood. But on the other side BJP spreads hatred and promotes anger. It makes people fight each other. BJP’s friend Shiv Sena, beat up your people in Maharashtra. Just listen to BJP leaders’ speeches. You will hear not a single speech which doesn’t have anger. They never acknowledge the good works of others. BJP thinks that only one man in has the entire knowledge and rest knows nothing” explained Rahul Gandhi and continued, “For BJP, this coming election is not for India or its people. They are not bothered about the poor, farmers or women in our country. For them, this election is for just Modi. They are not bothered the people. They forgot the glorious contributions of the people of Gujarat for developing that state. Modi now claims that he is the only man behind the entire progress of Gujarat”.
“Congress wants welfare of entire people, especially the poor and downtrodden. We therefore initiated a right-based paradigm. But what ideology does BJP follow? Under its model, only one man has authority for entire decisions. He urges people to make him the chowkeedar of the country. BJP wants to make him a chowkeedar (watchman) to solve all the issues in our country; But Congress wants to make every citizen a chowkeedar of our nation” said the Congress Vice President.
“So, please open your radars to find out the truth. Vote for Congress and elect our candidates” concluded Rahul Gandhi.
Full text of the speech by Congress President Rahul Gandhi' in Lahra Chowk, Kishanganj, Bihar

Rahul Gandhi in Pratapgarh (UP): BJP filled with anger; Congress believes in love, brotherhood

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a mammoth election rally at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh as part of his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In an indirect at BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi lamented, "The opposition believes that one man can run our country. When their leader boasts about Gujarat's development and takes the entire credit for it, he forgets that it is the people of Gujarat, its women, developed the state". "One person can never run a nation; it is run by the people; people have the strength. This has been the concept of the Congress party. While we want to empower our people to the maximum, the BJP wants to grab people's power and hand over it to one individual" he added.

Rahul Gandhi addresses Congress rally at Thane, Maharashtra; attacks BJP

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge Congress rally at Thane in Maharashtra on Thursday as part of his ongoing campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Slamming the BJP for its double-speak, the Congress Vice President said, "It was RSS leaders who assassinated Gandhi Ji; but today they praise Gandhi ji. Sardar Patel was the leader of Congress. He had vehemently opposed the RSS ideology. But today the BJP leaders claim that Patelji was their leader! We give the ideas, our leaders implement new schemes; BJP and their leaders oppose it and after some time try to take credits for it" said Rahul Gandhi.

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi kick-starts campaign in Uttar Pradesh

Rahul Gandhi launches Congress campaign for Lok Sabha polls in UP
Lucknow: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has launched his party’s Lok Sabha polls campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress Member of Parliament from UP’s Amethi, Rahul Gandhi, paid obeisance at the dargah of renowned Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah and held a road show in Barabanki on Friday.
The Congress leader arrived at Lucknow in the morning and held an informal interaction with editors and bureau chiefs of various media organisations. Later, he met aanganwadi workers and women self-help group members at a village on the outskirts of the state capital. During the meeting, he laid stress on women empowerment and promised to take up their problems.
After the meeting, the Congress Vice President left for the Deva Sharif dargah in Barabanki where he offered a 'chadar'. On the route to the dargah, Rahul Gandhi was accorded warm welcome at Mati and Gopalpur by activists of Congress' youth and student wings.
During the road show along, Congress workers and locals showered flowers on him. Excitement was visible specially in Barabanki town where youths gathered on both sides of the road to get a glimpse of their favourite leader.
At the railway station road and Lucknow-Faizabad road, Gram Rojgar Welfare Association and MNREGS Technical Assistant Welfare Association complained to him about non-payment of their honorarium. Rahul Gandhi patiently listened to the, received their memorandum, and assured them of necessary action. In Lajpatnagar locality, a Sikh dominated area in Barabanki city, some people tried to tie a turban on him but when they failed to do so due to security reasons, he took it and put it around his neck amidst cheers.
During his meeting with aanganwadi workers and self-help group members, Rahul Gandhi stressed that women empowerment was a must for the country's development and called upon them to identify their strength. "Women would have to identify their strength and become self reliant to improve the future of their families and the country," Rahul Gandhi said at Sarai Shekh village of Chinhat. The Congress Vice President pointed out that through self-help groups lakhs of women had found employment and were making important contribution to their family income. During the meeting, aanganwadi workers raised the issue of delay in payment of their honorarium. Promising help, Gandhi exhorted them to come forward and fight for their own cause.
On Saturday, he will hold a road show, address a public gathering and also will have an enteractive session with the rickshaw pullers at Varanasi Railway station.

Rahul Gandhi in Assam interacts with students at Guwahati 02

Guwahati: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, interacted with students from North East on Tuesday at Don Bosco University in Guwahati. "I see each one of you have a lot of will and will have immense potential", he said.

Rahul Gandhi in Assam interacts with students at Guwahati 01

Guwahati: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, interacted with students from North East on Tuesday at Don Bosco University in Guwahati. "I see each one of you have a lot of will and will have immense potential", he said.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with students in Assam, says we learn from failure, not from success

Rahul Gandhi interacts with students in Assam, says we learn from failure, not from success
Guwahati: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, interacted with students from North East on Tuesday at Don Bosco University in Guwahati. "I see each one of you have a lot of will and will have immense potential”, he said.
The Congress vice-president also sought to assure the people of North- East migrating to other parts of the country for livelihood. Referring to the recent death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Taniam in Delhi over a trivial issue, Rahul Gandhi said “ignorance is the cause of what happened to Nido in Delhi.”
“People, generally, are not bad; but sometimes people get angry and act accordingly. When politicians come and say bad things it affects the citizens,” said Rahul Gandhi. Noting that he found inspiration in Mahatma Gandhi's ideologies, the Congress Vice President further said, “We have to tell people that they are a part of the country and are loved; anger needs to be eradicated."
“We need to give people the political power. I want students from Assam become MLAs, MPs, CM and PM. You are the future.. We must focus on connectivity; proposed corridors will benefit NE; we must focus on education for more development in NE... We can't solve all our problems in just few days; the solution to solve our issues is to empower our people” he said replying to various queries by the participants. “Compared to other countries, India is doing pretty well. We are the second fastest growing economy in the world," he told the gathering.
“Sometimes we forget how big our India is; it is growing faster than any other country” he said. On a question whether we should still continue with the system of reservation, Rahul Gandhi said, “The real problem is that there no sufficient seats in universities; if that is solved, the questions on reservation will end” and added, “There are still places in India, where one community is not allowed to fetch drinking water from wells used by high castes”.
On education, Rahul Gandhi commented, “Education system must be more student based; it should be connected to all spheres; it must have a good widen network.. We must reform our education system. It needs lots of changes to be made”.
“The single biggest problem in NE is the connectivity issue, whether by roads, trains or flights. This must be focussed on” said the Congress leader. “We have started to go to people to seek their opinion on Manifesto. No other party ever did so” said Rahul Gandhi.
Replying to another question on prevailing caste system, the Congress MP quipped, “If we empower people and give them proper space in politics, the casteism will end”. “People fight each other when there is communication gap.. if we listen each other, e chances for conflict is less” he commented.”
Stressing for the need of ensuring safety and equality for women, Rahul Gandhi said, “I come from a family where women are treated well. My father treated my sister and me the same way.. Why no one wants to talk about how & why women in India are insulted? How can we be a Super Power without equality? Women are suffering every day. Rape is an extreme manifestation. Girls are killed at birth.. We can never be a super power if our women do not feel safe in our country”.
“Women are more capable than men; they are more intelligent” said Rahul Gandhi amid big applauds from the participants. “Women should feel safe at anytime; 50% of our population is women; we want more women in Parliament, assemblies.. “ continued the Congress leader.
About North-East affairs, Rahul Gandhi said, “We can develop only if we are well connected; we need to improve on this at NE; we will give more attention to this”
When a girl from the gathering asked Rahul Gandhi, “Is it pen, gun or microphone that is most powerful weapon for change?” Rahul Gandhi immediately shot back, “It is the brain” and explained ”Even if we want to use a pen, gun or sword, we must have brain”.
“We must understand what do people really want; we must listen to them” he replied to another question, and added, “You have to look at other people, respect them; then only we can bring in changes”. “We have millions of people with different culture. That is our strength too. We unite when time demands, “ he said further.
Nothing can be built on anger, he reminded the students. “If someone is angry then we have to go to that person, talk to realise the issue”. “The first change in India that I want is the stable harmony amongst the people from different walks of life.. We don't want an India where one religion feels they are not safe in India, where women feel unsafe.. I believe in Mahatma Gandhi. Every conflict can be resolved with peace and brotherhood. Many of the conflicts take place because we don't empower people enough.. We can achieve success by love, affection and talking to people; that is what Gandhi ji taught us” said the Congress leader.
“The more power we give to the people, the youth, the less will be the conflicts” asserted Rahul Gandhi. “Assam back in peace because we involved people in discussions; and with their help we could achieve this” he said adding “Governance should be done by giving as many powers to the people”.
“Our systems don't serve the end-user. You have no input in your education. We have to build education system around you” he told the students. “Some politicians come here and make speeches and go back.. I am here to listen to you” he assured.
“To promote manufacturing, you have to promote entrepreneurship. We have to enable people like you to start something.. We can learn many things from failure; we actually can't learn much from success” suggested Rahul Gandhi.