Sonia anguished on blind race for power and pelf

The Congress president expressed anguish over the race which, after a limit, translates into mere pursuit of greed.

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of a series of scams hitting the government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed anguish over the race for power and pelf which after a certain limit translates into mere pursuit of greed.

"Today, people are engaged in a blind race for gaining wealth and a high post," she said at a function to release a stamp in the memory of freedom fighter Chaudhary Ranbir Singh.

Noting that Singh retired from politics voluntarily at the age of 64, she said the importance of such ideals hold true in current times when there is a blind race for power and pelf.

"I get a feeling that we have drifted away from the ideals of the Independence struggle and that of our ancestors," Gandhi said.

In terse remarks, she said that power and wealth and the pleasure one derives from it does not constitute everything in life.

"There is a limit to this pleasure and one could enjoy it only upto a certain limit. Beyond that it is pure greed and temptation which everyone pursues," said Gandhi, who is also the chairperson of the ruling UPA.

She said the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters should not be forgotten. "One should remember that if they had been after seeking personal pleasure they would not have been able to contribute to the freedom struggle," Gandhi said.

She stressed that the meaning of public life was to understand the suffering of the common man and to make efforts to lessen it.

"We have to fight the attempts to destroy our society by spreading the poison of terrorism, communalism and casteism," she said.

Gandhi said efforts should be made to work for the welfare of the people by keeping aside personal gain.

Earlier, Gandhi released a stamp in honour of Chaudhary Ranbir Singh on his first death anniversary.

The function was attended by Singh's son and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Communications Minister Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot and President of the All India Freedom Fighters' Organisation Ranjit Singh.