http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&cat1=1&cat2=76&newsid=85246&RF =DefaultMain In Gujarat, Vajpayee seeks forgiveness - By Deepal Trevedie Ahmedabad, Jan. 13: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee left scores of Muslims with tears in their eyes on Tuesday evening when he expressed disgust at the Gujarat riots and sought forgiveness from those who had been wronged. "One who forgives is a greater person than one who seeks forgiveness," the Prime Minister said at the inauguration of the Vishwa Parivar Mahotsav, an event organised by the Gujarat government to coincide with the kite festival. An old Muslim kite-maker, Rasul Chacha, welcomed the Prime Minister. Over 8,000 non-resident Gujaratis and 500 foreigners are participating in the festival. The Prime Minister praised the Gujarati spirit in his hour-long speech but, before summing it up, said, "I know this is not the right moment to speak what I am going to, but my soul will not rest in peace." His ardent appeal that Gujarat should forget its past received an overwhelming response with scores of Muslims and other minority community crying and lauding Mr Vajpayee. "There is peace right now, and I want this peace to stay because we have had enough of bloodshed and murders here. Even women and children were not spared. I would not say the whole of Gujarat was indulging in mayhem, but yes, Ahmedabad was miserable. But whatever has happened, let us forget it as the past. Let us ensure that the flame of hate is extinguished forever," he said. Stating that even the Narendra Modi government has started focusing on development, Mr Vajpayee said, "He (Mr Modi) showed me three pavilions which reflect the presence of minorities in Gujarat - the Dawoodi Bohras, Khojas and Parsis. I am overwhelmed." Sheikh Adam, a former hotel manager who was attending the function, said, "I knew Vajpayeeji is a great man. I came to listen to him and he has said what I have been yearning to hear since the last two years." The Prime Minister said it is the responsibility of the majority to provide security to the minorities. At this juncture, several Muslims at the function cried and applauded him. Mr Vajpayee said, "I feel odd talking of peace in this land of Gujarat, but I had to," adding that he has been assured that all those who indulge in any sort of criminal activity will now be punished in Gujarat and that the state, which is known for its immense entrepreneurship qualities, will surge ahead. "He has won the heart of Gujarat now. We are sure even Narendra Modi will now follow the agenda of development and governance. We have faith," said Noorbhai Rasul, a Muslim who relocated to Mumbai after the riots. Earlier, Mr Vajpayee stressed that India was on its way to becoming a superpower and countries that one shunned India, or stopped "our hukka paani" because of India's nuclear ability, have now approached India and "we are all set to have a shared vision in civilian nuclear activities and other nuclear-related programmes with America, besides initiating a dialogue on missile defence." Stressing that there was not a single place in the world where he had not met a Gujarati, including interior Africa, he said, "Jahan jahan basti hai, vahan vahan Gujarati hai, jahan jahan masti hai, vahan vahan Gujarati hai," he said. Mr Narendra Modi spoke about how his aims are now focused on development and good governance. "Gujarat has a Rs 100-crore kite industry of which 95 per cent is controlled by the minorities. I promise that I will make this kite business a Rs 500-crore industry," he said. The Gujarat government introduced the Gujarat Garima Awards. Mr Ratan Tata, Mr Mukesh Ambani, Mr Anant Shah, Dr Dinesh Bhagwati and Dr Dinesh Patel were conferred these awards. Mr Ratan Tata gave an inspiring speech of how he felt lucky to be living in these exciting times, when India was surging ahead under the leadership of Mr Vajpayee. Speaking in Gujarati, Mr Tata stressed that he was proud to receive this award. Mr Ambani highlighted how his father's global empire blossomed from Gujarat. http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&cat1=1&cat2=76&newsid=85246&RF =DefaultMain __________________________________ ------------------------------------------------ visit http://www.geocities.com/sapacchicago email [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe sapac" in msg body to unsubscribe
