bined with religious extremism, it becomes a graver
danger to humanity. All of you are familiar with the
saying “Karela Aur Neem Chadha” (The bitterness of
Karela is further worsened by adding to it the bitter-
ness of Neem.)

In our case, over thirty five thousand of our people
have been killed by terrorists. Terrorism has become
a big problem in many other parts of the world, too.
It is obstructing the path of peace and development.
Today, there is a need to mobilize world opinion
against terrorism. Today, on the occasion of Inde-
pendence Day, India stands with full self-confidence.
Our gaze is turned to the future. Our standing in the
world has risen. Now, the people are not attracted by
the controversies and narrow_disputes of yesterday.

Throughout the war in Kargil, | was specially satis-

fea by two features.
© There was no communal tension anywhere in the
country. Goodwill and brotherhood prevailed ev-
erywhere, including in Jammu and Kashmir. This
must have despaired those who thought that riots
would break out in India as soon as the spark of
war is lit. Those who hatched the conspiracy of
strife, must have been truly disillusioned. The
people of all sections of society worked for India’s
success in the war. A powerful wave of patriotism
traveled everywhere.

e When | went to Kargil and met our jawans, I saw
our entire country there: soldiers from Nagaland,
from Assam, from Tamil Nadu, from almost every
state were fighting for the country. There was not
the slightest distance between them on account of
caste or religion or region.

This is the real India. We must make their oneness
our own. We have to live for this India. We have to
work for this India. And, if necessary, we have to lay
down our lives for this India, as our brave jawans did.

Kargil has once again shown that whenever our pa-
triotism is aroused, all of us stand as one with full
confidence and determination, as a fist clenched in
conviction. We face our challenges unitedly. Our
adversaries should beware of this.

At the same time, there is an equally important les-
son for us. Now that the crisis has been beaten back,
do not unclench this fist of unity.

The battle is not over. New challenges are knocking
at our doors. The patriotism that coursed through the
veins of Indians should be made a permanent feature
of our lives.

All of us remember the talisman Gandhiji gave us:
when in doubt about what to do, he taught us, think
of the least, of the most helpless man you have seen,
ask yourself, “Will this step be in his interest?” he
said, and you will see all your doubts melt away.

Kargil gives us a second talisman: As we contem-
plate a step, let us ask ourselves: “Is it worthy of the
sojdier who gave his life on those mountains? Does

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the impulse which lies behind it measure up to the
spirit which filled that soldier as he fought to protect
our Motherland?”

The challenges that confront us cannot be overcome
only by the men on the frontiers doing their duty.
There is a need for an organized and disciplined nation
to stand behind them. We must defend our country
and develop our society by keeping national inter-
ests utmost in our minds. If our economy is not strong,
and if we are not self-reliant in important matters of
national security, then we cannot successfully face
external challenges.

All of us, wherever we may be, whatever work we
may be doing, we should discharge our responsibili-
ties well. We must never allow any limb of our nation
or society to become weak. It is clear from the effec-
tive way in which we have overcome our challenges
and dealt with our difficulties, that we can do any-
thing if we resolve to do it. What is needed is to take
a pledge: that whatever we can do, we will now do.

I have a vision of India: an India free of hunger and
fear, an India free of illiteracy and want.

| dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and
caring. An India, that regains a place of honour in the
comity of great nations.
¢ Come, let us build an India in which we have bal-
anced development that benefits all regions and
all sections of society. | note with regret that sev-
eral regions in the country — including the North-
Eastern States — have been the victims of unbal-
anced progress. The nation has an especially press-
ing obligation to bring the people of the North-East
into the developmental mainstream.
© Come, let us build an India in which Dalits, Adivasis,
and Backward Classes are not only freed from eco-
nomic deprivation, but also enjoy the fruits of so-
cial justice. The path that will take us to this ideal
is the path of samata, mamata, and samajik
samarasata.
© Come, let us build an India in which our nari shakti
—our women — are able to realize its full potential
— from shaping the future of their families to shap-
ing the future of the nation. It is our collective
responsibility to empower them economically, so-
cially, educationally and also politically. In this
regard, | would like to see early passage of the
legislation to reserve seats for women in Parlia-
ment and State Assemblies. We have already seen
how women have given an excellent account of
themselves wherever they have got an opportunity
to serve in panchayats and other local bodies.
Come, let us build an India in which the minorities
fully enjoy the fruits of national development, while
having full opportunities to contribute to it. Our
country belongs to all. And all are entitled to equal
and fair treatment in the eyes of the law and the
Government. India, which is home to the great secu-

See PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS Page 12

INDIA NEWS © August 15,1999 11