Clinton delivers key note address at UN General Assembly.
By American Bazaar Staff
UNITED NATIONS: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji, read out a message by prime minister Manmohan Singh, on the occasion of the Nelson Mandela International Day, in New York.
The special event of the UN General Assembly, where India was the first country invited to speak, was addressed also by the UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon, with the key note address delivered by the former US President Bill Clinton.
In his message, Singh complimented all member states of the United Nations for celebrating the values that Mandela dedicated his life to.
“These values of peace, pluralism, justice, equality and dignity are also embodied in the United Nations Charter. In proclaiming 18 July as the Nelson Mandela International Day, the United Nations paid tribute to a great citizen of the world,” the message read.
“This day also holds special significance for India. The father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who led the struggle for our independence, honed his skills as a young lawyer in Nelson Mandela’s homeland. Bound by history, more than a billion Indian hearts rejoice and take pride in the life and mission of Nelson Mandela, which stand for ideals that are enduring and universal in their appeal and relevance,” wrote Singh.
The message added: “The outpouring of love and the countless prayers that we have seen in recent days for Nelson Mandela only prove that there is something very deep and abiding in the human spirit that binds us across borders. Today, we stand with our African brothers and sisters in wishing Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery and good health.”
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