of it. We need to re-examine
this in detail. Globally, India has
to move purposefully towards
realizing its true dimensions —
as a major civilisational state,
with its own strategic autonomy
and strategic space, born out of
its economic and political inter-
action with other countries par-
ticularly in the Asia-Pacific com-
munity. The real wealth of a
nation is its people. History and
paucity of appropriate resources
prevented us from participating
in the economic transformations
brought about since the Indus-
trial Revolution. In 1820, Asia
contributed 58 per cent of the
World GDP; today it is at 37 per
cent; by 2020, expectations are
that it could regain the level of
200 years ago. India has a sig-
nal role to play in the coming
decades. With our democratic
institutions, a large skilled man-
power base, geographic loca-
tion, we must ensure that India
rides the crest of this wave.

Through the travail and fire of
Kargil our nation has been re-
newed. The mood though som-
bre, is confident. National will
stands sharpened. The sacrifice
of our youth has not and will not
be in vain. That is the solemn
message of Kargil to the nation
and to the world. I close with the
poignant words of the memorial
at Kohima, that stands tall and
proud on a hill, commemorat-
ing those who fell in another war:

“When you go home
Tell them of us
And say
For your Tomorrow
We gave our Today.”

Go gle

Embassy Diary:

e With approvals from several US authorities in hand, the

plans for the construction of the Mahatma Gandhi
Memorial are now in their final stages. The memorial, which
will be installed on Massachusetts Avenue opposite the
Embassy, will have a statue of the Father of the Nation as
its centerpiece.

The Embassy worked on all fronts to put forward India’s
position during the Kargil crisis to US policy makers both
in the US Congress and in the Administration. The
Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and other senior
Officials also met prominent members of think tanks and
the US media to keep them up-to-date on developments.
Embassy's website www.indianembassy.org was also
usefully employed to project India’s viewpoints during
the Karsil crisis.

The Embassy continued its efforts to reach out to different
sections of the United States public as well as the Indian
American community. The Ambassador and the Deputy
Chief of Mission sent out letters at regular intervals to
apprise the community of current developments in Indo-
US relations and Goverment of India’s policies. They and
other officers also participated in several community
functions both in Washington and other parts of the
country including the Indo-American Friendship Council's
annual meeting in Washington, Independence Day
festivities and Parade in Chicago, the 17th Annual American
Association of the Physicians of India’s origin, San
Francisco, JAINA Convention, Philadelphia besides several
other functions.

The Embassy continued its interaction with all sections of
the media including major television networks.
Ambassador Naresh Chandra spoke at a function at
National Press Club on May 20 and Deputy Chief of Mission
Mr. T.P. Sreenivasan spoke at another function organized
at the National Press Club on August 9.

The Embassy cooperated with the Smithsonian Institution
in organizing a six part lecture series on Rajasthan, with
the National Museum for Women in Arts to present the
creation of Indian women, and with the John Hopkins
Institute and the Smithsonian Institute for their programme
on religion and traditions in India.

—]

INDIA NEWS ¢ August 15,1999 5