Madam President,
excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I feel privileged to be attending this event to commemorate the life and contribution of Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela’s life is an inspiration for all. He showed fearlessness and courage in the face of discrimination and adversity.
The values espoused by him – forgiveness and compassion as well as inclusiveness of society - are needed now, more than ever, in these turbulent times around the world. We, Indians, consider Madiba to be one of our own.
We are proud to call him a Bharat Ratna- a Jewel of India.
Excellencies,
India cherishes its special relationship and longstanding partnership with Africa and its people. Our close bonds are reflected in the philosophy of Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi – Father of our Nation.
Both of them led their peoples to freedom through mass peaceful struggles. They made all efforts to overcome the divisive and narrow identity politics to turn diversity of a society into its strength, instead of a weakness.
Excellencies,
Nelson Mandela said at the UN in 1994, and I quote - "the society we seek to create must be a people centred society and all its institutions and resources must be dedicated to the purusit of a better life for all our citizens". These words are all the more
relevant today.
Excellencies,
Our world is still beset with conflicts, terror and hateful ideologies that are transcending borders and impacting our lives. No one should be allowed to support terror or its perpetration.
Our collective survival as a global family requires that the wisdom of pioneering leaders such as Mandela should remain as our moral compass.
Let us share this planet as one. Let us make a better world for our children like one global family.
I thank you all for your attention.