Hyderabad: The Hyderabad District Congress Committee on Thursday organised a “Run for Rajiv” at Charminar to mark former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 82nd birth anniversary.
Hyderabad DCC president Syed Khalid Saifullah said Rajiv Gandhi empowered India’s youth and accelerated the country’s move towards a technology-driven future.
He said reducing the voting age to 18 expanded youth participation in democracy. At the same time, Rajiv Gandhi’s emphasis on telecommunications and technology gave India a new developmental direction.
The Run for Rajiv began at 7.30 am and followed the Charminar-Madina Building-Charminar route. Organisers held the programme with the theme “Youth | Unity | Progress.”
Addressing participants, Saifullah said Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy remained particularly relevant to young Indians. He said several reforms initiated during his tenure directly expanded their political participation and access to technology.
Run for Rajiv recalls youth voting rights
Saifullah said Rajiv Gandhi was born on August 20, 1944, and became India’s youngest Prime Minister at 40. He said Rajiv Gandhi brought a forward-looking approach to governance and focused on preparing the country for future technological and democratic changes.
“We are not remembering Rajiv Gandhi ji inside a closed room or hall. We are standing under the open sky in front of the historic Charminar,” Saifullah said. He noted that Charminar had witnessed generations change since 1591. The present generation had gathered at the monument to remember Rajiv Gandhi and his vision for India, he added.
Saifullah identified the reduction of the voting age as one of Rajiv Gandhi’s major contributions to youth empowerment. The 61st Constitutional Amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18. Consequently, millions of younger citizens gained direct participation in the country’s electoral process.
“Rajiv Gandhi ji told the youth through his actions that they did not have to wait until 21 to participate in shaping India’s future,” Saifullah said. “At 18, they could have a voice in the destiny of the country. Generations of young Indians have benefited from that historic decision,” he added.
Run for Rajiv highlights technology push
Saifullah also highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to telecommunications and technological modernisation. He said the former Prime Minister understood early that technology could change the lives of ordinary citizens. Moreover, technological development could help bridge distances across the country.
The DCC president recalled a time when people living far from their native places depended largely on letters to communicate with their families. He said the subsequent expansion of telecommunications and public telephone facilities fundamentally changed how families stayed connected.
“A mother could hear the voice of her son living hundreds of kilometres away. Rajiv Gandhi ji understood very early how technology could connect ordinary Indians,” Saifullah said.
According to him, Rajiv Gandhi’s approach combined technological progress with efforts to widen democratic participation.
Run for Rajiv focuses on grassroots democracy
Saifullah also recalled Rajiv Gandhi’s efforts to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. He said those initiatives laid important groundwork for subsequent constitutional reforms aimed at decentralising governance. The measures also sought to increase public participation in decision-making at the grassroots level, he said.
Saifullah said Rajiv Gandhi’s vision combined youth participation, technological advancement and democratic decentralisation. These initiatives came when India was preparing for significant social and economic changes, he added.
The Hyderabad DCC said the Run for Rajiv was not intended merely to commemorate a former Prime Minister. Instead, the party said the programme aimed to introduce a new generation to the ideas and reforms associated with Rajiv Gandhi.
The event concluded with the message, “Run for a Better India, Run for Rajiv’s Vision.” Organisers said the programme reaffirmed the themes of youth empowerment, national unity, technological progress and grassroots democracy associated with the commemoration.