Homage to freedom fighters with a pledge to fight corruption

The theme was set in motion by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi who presented the first copy of a `white paper’ on high level corruption to the Prime Minister. Gujral in turn said in his speech that he was not sure whether it should be called a white paper or a black paper. He said that those who demanded bribes should be punished severely, adding that the public should also decide not to bribe anyone.

The Prime Minister called upon the people to start a `do or die’ battle against corruption. He said that there was a need to set up mohalla committees against corrupt practices. “Let us celebrate this year as a year for eradicating corruption,” he said.

The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to say that those who spread caste and communal hatred could neither serve their religion nor the society. “In this city of Mumbai, there is an urgent need to maintain harmony at all levels,” the Prime Minister said. He asked people to rise above regional jingoism to contribute to the process of nation building.

“The statues of our leaders are symbols of national aspiration and thinking and it is our responsibility to protect their dignity,” the Prime Minister said, in the backdrop of the desecration tragedy that rocked the State last month.

Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Union minister Ramvilas Paswan and S R Bommai and Maharashtra Governor Dr P C Alexander also stressed on the need to eradicate corruption.

The Chief Minister Manohar Joshi’s speech was full of promises. He promised the Prime Minister that Maharashtra would have complete literacy by the end of 2000.