Obama praises India's resilience, strength after attacks
6 NOV, 2010, 04.26PM IST,AGENCIES
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MUMBAI: The United States and India stand together against terror, visiting President Barack Obama said on Saturday, after meeting the families of victims and survivors of the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Obama spent time with those affected by the attacks nearly two years ago at the luxury Taj Mahal Palace hotel, which was the focus of the wave of strikes on the city that left 166 people dead and more than 300 others injured.
"Mumbai is a symbol of the incredible energy and optimism that defines India in the 21st century," the President said in a speech outside the hotel near the landmark Gateway of India monument.
"Ever since those horrific days two years ago, the Taj has been the symbol of the strength and the resilience of the Indian people.
"We visit here to send a very clear message--that in our determination to give our people security and prosperity, the US and India stand united."
Obama, flanked by his wife, First Lady Michelle, earlier spent time at the permanent memorial to the 31 people who lost their lives at the Taj itself and signed the book of condolence.
The couple looked solemn as they read the names of those who died when the seafront hotel was stormed by gunmen on the evening of November 26, 2008 and fought a battle to death with crack commandos outside.
"We will never forget the awful images of 26/11, the flames from this hotel that lit up the night sky," Obama said for the attacks, which have been likened by some in India to the September 11, 2001 strike on the United States.
"We will never forget how the world, including the American people, watched and grieved with all of India."
But he added that the "resolve and resilience of the Indian people stood in stark contrast to the savagery of the terrorists".
Both countries can look to the future with confidence that "history is on our side because those who target the innocent, they are for nothing but death and destruction," he said.
"What we seek to build is to welcome people of different faiths and backgrounds and we offer our citizens a future of dignity and opportunity," he added.
"That's the spirit of the Gateway behind us, which in its architecture reflects all the beauty and strength of different faiths and tradition, which has welcomed people to this city for a century."
Obama said India and the United States were working closer than ever to stamp out extremism and bring those responsible to justice and looked forward to deepening counter-terrorism ties further on his visit.
Obama spent time with those affected by the attacks nearly two years ago at the luxury Taj Mahal Palace hotel, which was the focus of the wave of strikes on the city that left 166 people dead and more than 300 others injured.
"Mumbai is a symbol of the incredible energy and optimism that defines India in the 21st century," the President said in a speech outside the hotel near the landmark Gateway of India monument.
"Ever since those horrific days two years ago, the Taj has been the symbol of the strength and the resilience of the Indian people.
"We visit here to send a very clear message--that in our determination to give our people security and prosperity, the US and India stand united."
Obama, flanked by his wife, First Lady Michelle, earlier spent time at the permanent memorial to the 31 people who lost their lives at the Taj itself and signed the book of condolence.
The couple looked solemn as they read the names of those who died when the seafront hotel was stormed by gunmen on the evening of November 26, 2008 and fought a battle to death with crack commandos outside.
"We will never forget the awful images of 26/11, the flames from this hotel that lit up the night sky," Obama said for the attacks, which have been likened by some in India to the September 11, 2001 strike on the United States.
"We will never forget how the world, including the American people, watched and grieved with all of India."
But he added that the "resolve and resilience of the Indian people stood in stark contrast to the savagery of the terrorists".
Both countries can look to the future with confidence that "history is on our side because those who target the innocent, they are for nothing but death and destruction," he said.
"What we seek to build is to welcome people of different faiths and backgrounds and we offer our citizens a future of dignity and opportunity," he added.
"That's the spirit of the Gateway behind us, which in its architecture reflects all the beauty and strength of different faiths and tradition, which has welcomed people to this city for a century."
Obama said India and the United States were working closer than ever to stamp out extremism and bring those responsible to justice and looked forward to deepening counter-terrorism ties further on his visit.
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Gandhi, a hero for the entire world: Obama
NDTV Correspondent/ Agencies, Updated: November 06, 2010 17:22 IST
Mumbai: US President Barack Obama today described Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as "a hero not just to India but to the world."
"I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world," Obama wrote in the visitor's book at the Mani Bhavan in Mumbai.
First lady Michelle Obama wrote in the visitors book, "The visit will be one that I will always treasure. Life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with our children around the world."
On his own book, Dreams from My Father, stocked at the Mani Bhavan library, Barack Obama wrote, "I continue to find inspiration from Gandhi's teaching."
Obama visited the Gandhi Museum at Mani Bhavan to honour the Father of the Nation.
Gandhi, the US President said, has inspired Americans and African Americans, including Martin Luther King.
(ndtv)
"I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world," Obama wrote in the visitor's book at the Mani Bhavan in Mumbai.
First lady Michelle Obama wrote in the visitors book, "The visit will be one that I will always treasure. Life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with our children around the world."
On his own book, Dreams from My Father, stocked at the Mani Bhavan library, Barack Obama wrote, "I continue to find inspiration from Gandhi's teaching."
Obama visited the Gandhi Museum at Mani Bhavan to honour the Father of the Nation.
Gandhi, the US President said, has inspired Americans and African Americans, including Martin Luther King.
(ndtv)
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