PM Modi working to protect India's prestige on global stage: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said political differences should not come in the way of protecting the countryrsquos prestige asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to uphold Indiarsquos honour on the global stage reported PTISpeaking at an event in Mumbai the veteran leader said leaders across political ideologies must come together whenever there is an opportunity to work in the national interestldquoPrime Minister Narendra Modi is working to protect the countryrsquos prestige outside India We may have different political views but when it comes to the nationrsquos honour political differences should not be brought inrdquo Pawar said during his address reported PTIThe Rajya Sabha MP was speaking at a gratitude and fellowship gathering organised by the Punebased Lakshmanrao Gutte Rural Development Foundation for former state and district officebearersVeteran leader recalls contributions of former prime ministersDuring the event Pawar referred to former prime ministers Indira Gandhi P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh saying they always kept Indiarsquos longterm interests and international reputation at the centre of their leadership reported PTIAccording to Pawar political leaders may belong to different parties but the countryrsquos image and dignity should remain a common priority for everyoneHe urged political workers and former colleagues from various parties to continue contributing collectively whenever issues concerning national interest arise reported PTIldquoIf there is an opportunity to work together for the national interest everyone should participate with one common purpose and contribute to enhancing the countryrsquos prestigerdquo Pawar saidPawar speaks about his political journey from Baramati to national politicsThe senior leader also reflected on his early years in politics and his journey from Baramati to PunePawar said he moved to Pune in 1958 at the age of 18 because there was no college in Baramati at that time He later became active in student and youth politics and eventually rose through the ranks of the Youth Congress reported PTIAccording to Pawar he became the Pune City Youth Congress chief within four years and later went on to lead the Maharashtra Youth Congress before taking up responsibilities at the national levelHe told the audience that many people present at the gathering had spent the most energetic years of their lives working in youth organisations and public life before moving into different political parties over timeldquoSome may be in different parties today but all of you continue to remain connected with ordinary people and have consciously preserved your commitment to societyrdquo he saidPawar recalls meeting Jawaharlal NehruSharing memories from his early political years Pawar recounted meeting Indiarsquos first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Teen Murti House in DelhiHe said he and his colleagues had prepared several questions related to farmers and youth issues before the meeting but forgot everything they wanted to ask once Nehru arrived reported PTIldquoWe had prepared many questions but when Pandit Nehru came before us his personality was so towering that we forgot what we wanted to sayrdquo Pawar recalledIncident involving Indira Gandhi and Soviet Union visitPawar also narrated an incident involving Indira Gandhi during an official visit to the former Soviet UnionReferring to a conversation with former diplomat and prime minister I K Gujral Pawar said Gandhi strongly objected when she felt Indiarsquos prime minister was not being accorded proper respect by Soviet authorities reported PTIAccording to Pawar Gandhi had asserted that she represented millions of Indians and would not tolerate any insult to the countryrsquos dignityldquoI represent 40 crore people of India If their prestige is not respected I will never accept itrdquo Pawar quoted Gandhi as sayingThe NCP SP leader concluded by welcoming the coming together of former colleagues from different political backgrounds and encouraged them to continue engaging in initiatives aimed at public welfare and national developmentWith inputs from PTI