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On the
auspicious occasion of the 59th
anniversary of the Independence Day of India, I
extend to all my fellow citizens and the friends of
India my warmest greetings and good wishes.
Sixty
years ago, on August 14, 1947, the first Prime
Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru made a
moving speech on India’s “tryst with destiny.” He
recalled that “at the stroke of the midnight hour,
when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and
freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in
history, when we step out from the old to the new,
when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation,
long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting
that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of
dedication to the service of India and her people
and to the still larger cause of humanity.”
Sixty
years is a short time in the history of a nation
which has left its civilisational imprint on the
march of time. But sixty years in the life of a
modern nation passing its baton of leadership and
aspirations from a generation to another is a time
to recall the contribution of the great leaders who
gave their all to fight valiantly against foreign
yoke. Their sacrifices have been immense and today,
as India charts its free and independent course, we
owe a debt of gratitude and bow our heads in respect
to these great leaders of India.
The
India which woke to freedom sixty years ago has
marched on to a great future in the 21st
century. Our founding fathers gave us democracy and
we have remained faithful to democratic ideals and
practices to make India the world’s largest
democracy today. This democratic tradition in India
has given the freedom to every individual to chart
his independent destiny towards achieving his own
ambitions. Every Indian citizen is equal before
law, has equality of opportunity and does not face
discrimination on the basis of religion, race,
caste, sex or place of birth. Secularism has been
the bedrock of India’s nationhood. Development of a
pluralistic society with primacy and paramountcy to
the rule of law is the common agenda of every
Indian.
The
India of today has moved on and pressed ahead from
the India which was born on August 15, 1947. Our
founding fathers at that point in time laid the
foundation for a strong nationhood. Circumstances
of the day compelled thoughts and ideas to be
reinforced to provide for a solid base for economic
growth and social harmony. With the passage of
time, India has moved from a nation which was
anchored in a horizontal economic growth rate to one
which is seen today to be on the cusp of a great
future. Home to the world’s second largest
population, India has provided for all and yet is
continuing to work out solutions to ensure that the
fruits of its economic growth percolate down to
every Indian. Integrating the Indian economy to
global developments, India embarked on
liberalisation and economic reforms in 1991. Today,
it is among the world’s fastest growing economies
with a GDP growth rate of over 8 per cent over a
sustained and continuous period over the last couple
of years. The fundamentals of India’s economic
progress are strong both at the micro and macro
management levels with provision being made for the
economy to reinforce itself towards greater growth
and dynamism. India is an attractive market and a
destination which beckons. The Indian economy today
is vibrant and strong and among the most successful
economic growth stories of the last decade of the
last century moving well into the current century.
The
Indian Diaspora has participated in and taken
interest in the socio-economic development in
India. The Government of India recognises their
important contribution towards nation building in
India. In this context, we value the participation
of and the role played by Indian Diaspora in Kuwait
towards India’s progress.
India
has played an important and responsible role in the
comity of nations. India is committed to a
comprehensive reform of the United Nations. By any
set of objective criteria, India is well qualified
to be a permanent member of the UN Security
Council. It has actively involved itself in the
Doha Round of talks of the World Trade Organisation.
As it
moves ahead, India also faces many challenges. The
recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and those earlier
is yet one more call for the international community
to take concerted and firm measures jointly to
eliminate the menace and scourge of terrorism.
As
India celebrates its Independence Day, we rejoice in
the significant achievements in India’s relations
with its great and friendly partner, the State of
Kuwait. Relations between India and Kuwait stretch
back to centuries and are based in history and have
stood the test of time. These are extensive in
scope and comprehensive in content. The
multifaceted partnership between India and Kuwait is
to the mutual benefit of the two countries and
people. We are immediate neighbours and have
similar aspirations to provide for the welfare of
our people and to play an important role in the
comity of nations towards providing peace, security
and stability. Kuwait is home to a large Indian
expatriate community. While the Indian Diaspora has
contributed to the welfare and development of the
friendly state of Kuwait, India appreciates the care
and benevolence which has been extended to the
members of the Indian community by the leadership of
Kuwait.
The
recent State Visit to India in June 2006 by His
Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,
Amir of the State of Kuwait was a landmark event and
a cause for intense celebration. His Highness the
Amir was an honoured guest and the leadership and
people of India received him with great warmth and
affection. The results of the discussions during
the visit and the agreements arrived at provide for
a strong and enduring foundation for the partnership
between our two countries in the 21st
century. The visit has provided a major impetus and
momentum for bilateral, multidimensional cooperation
to develop in various areas to mutual benefit.
Today
every Indian in India, Kuwait and elsewhere
celebrates the achievements of India over the last
59 years with great joy, fervour and devotion. We
dedicate ourselves to the further nation building
and prosperity of India. At the same time, we
re-dedicate ourselves in Kuwait to the warmth and
friendship which India and Kuwait have mutually
engendered themselves. We wish the Kuwaiti
leadership and its people greater success and
prosperity and pray for peace, stability and
security in the region.
Jai
Hind.
New Delhi,
Aug 15, 2006 |
