Independence put the country on the path of development and growth but along with rapid progress, India also experienced the degradation of values of life, said senior political leaders on the occasion of the launch of Hindi version of the book ‘Jawahar’, the biography of the founder of Lokmat Media Group and veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda. Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and President of Democratic Progressive Azad Party Padma Bhushan Ghulam Nabi Azad articulated the unanimous feelings of all key speakers when he said, “Dil aur dimag mein girawat aa gai hai, sudharna chahiye!’’

 

Members of Parliament from various political parties, former MPs, and many dignitaries from Delhi attended the event, which took place at the Speaker Hall of the Constitution Club of India. Chairman of the Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda made introductory remarks, Lokmat Media Group Editor-in-Chief Rajendra Darda proposed a vote of thanks while Shweta Shelgaonkar conducted the proceedings. Ghulam Nabi Azad took a trip down memory lane, narrating happy anecdotes of time he spent with Babuji. “The generation of Babuji that never practised caste or religious discrimination is over now.

 

There was no leader who did not go to his residence for a meal from the airport and no political party that he did not respect. Whether the Congress was in power or sat in opposition, he did not give up his principles. He respected and appreciated all religions, parties and individuals. Today, we need to follow his ideals to keep humanity united,” he said. At the outset, Chairman of Lokmat Media Group Dr Vijay Darda delivered a welcome address. Paying rich tributes to Jawaharlal Darda, he told the august gathering that he knew him not only as a father but also as a staunch Gandhian, committed social worker, statesman, pioneering journalist and visionary leader. Editor-in-Chief of the Lokmat Media Group, Rajendra Darda, expressed his gratitude to all the dignitaries.