From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 9: The Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee members led by its president M S Raksha Ramaiah and former minister K J George organised a mass baby-shower ceremony for 70 pregnant women in Banaswadi locality in the city to mark Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi turning 75 on Thursday.
The Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi who turned 75 on Thursday is the longest-serving President of Congress party having seen several highs and lows in her political career.
She was elected as the President in 1998. Gandhi has led the Congress for 20 years.
Gandhi was first elected as a Member of Parliament from the parliamentary constituencies Amethi and Ballari in Karnataka against late Sushma Swaraj of BJP in 1999.
She retained Amethi seat by resigning from Ballari seat, and became Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
During the 2004 General Elections, she led the electoral campaign of her party, which secured the largest number of seats.
The KPYCC president chose to host a mass baby-shower programme in Banaswadi ward, where 70 pregnant women are residing.
The event was organised to celebrate Gandhi’s 75th birthday. The event was held in Anjaneya Temple in Doddabanaswadi.
The temple wore a festive look with all 70 pregnant women wearing lots of flowers, turmeric and silk sarees.
Along with these women, several relatives and their close friends took part in the event.
Banaswadi is part of Sarvajna Nagar Assembly constituency, which is represented by former home minister George, who was chief guest of this event.
Both K J George and Raksha Ramaiah offered ‘Bagina’ to all women.
Traditionally the ‘Bagina’ (an offering) is given in the ‘mora’ (bamboo trays specially designed to clean food grains) which symbolises a sign of prosperity and peace. Women exchange these ‘Baginas’ and pray for prosperity and peace. 'Mora,' the humble kitchen utensil woven from bamboo strips, gains immense significance during several auspicious events and fests associated with women.
Jawahar Bal Bhavan, president, J Cyril Prabhu, Block Congress president, Raghu Devraj and several youth Congress members took part in the event.