Rajiv Gandhi Quotes

"To the nameless and unsung heroes of our freedom struggle, we offer our humble tribute. Their life-blood nourishes the body of independent India."

"For some days, people thought that India was shaking. But there are always tremors when a great tree falls."

"I find I have less time for everything. The assembly elections came so soon, and there is still so much work to be done."

"Civilizations are built by the ceaseless toil of a succession of generations. With softness and sloth, civilizations succumb. Let us beware of decadence."

"In every democracy, it is the people's will that is supreme. We should translate the intense yearning of the people of India and Pakistan for friendship into meaningful measures of cooperation in every walk of life."

"I don't think that NTR is anti-Indian."

"The secretariat will play a pivotal role in decision-making above a certain level, where basic policies are involved, but below that, we will have to leave the implementation to whoever is in charge."

"We need a better strategy to achieve the national goal of a stable population, healthier and better educated."

"We have been making changes continuously. You cannot expect everything to be perfect the minute it is made. Things change; they are dynamic as you progress. The requirements change. Demands change. So you change with that."

"We are committed to the development of friendship and good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. I believe that Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shares this commitment."

"There is no problem between Giani Zail Singh and Rajiv Gandhi."

"We cannot and will not rest until we have won true swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions - until we have wiped out poverty from our land."

"In Kashmir, you need utmost cooperation between all centres of authority."

"We took such a beating on Bofors. As far as I know, no one from my government was involved."

"I have never felt vulnerable nor restricted in my movements."

"Even before V. P. Singh was shifted, the media was creating an impression that he was facing difficulties. This was totally incorrect."

"I think what Punjab needs today is vigorous economic development and rebuilding of trust and social cohesion."

"There has to be a national consensus. We cannot legislate without overwhelming national consensus that religious and communal groups should be totally banned from politics."

"I didn't have any personal goals when I came, but after being in politics - after seeing people, their difficulties, their wants - I think our goal has to be to eliminate poverty from India."

"I think we will be able to work with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to reduce tension and concentrate efforts in both the countries on real problems of the people - poverty, social injustice, and development."

"Indiraji should have been here today, speaking to you in her gentle, impassioned voice. One with Bharatmata's immortal spirit, she now shines as a lodestar not only for us but for all humanity."

"I think of those giants who made the Indian National Congress. Seldom has the world seen a nobler galaxy of women and men, so selfless in their devotion to the cause of freedom, so exalted in thought, so brave in action, so pure in spirit."

"The freedom movement transformed the status of women. Women fought along with men as comrades. In the process, the shackles that had bound them fell away."