India emerged stronger from 26/11: Sonia Gandhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the country has learnt many hard lessons from the tragedy of 26/11 and emerged stronger as the terrorists failed miserably in their aim to hit at the spirit of Mumbai.

Paying homage to the memory of those who lived their lives and empathising with the pain and loss of their loved on the eve of first anniversary of the terror attack in Mumbai, Ms Gandhi saluted the indomitable spirit of the people of India.

''We have learnt many hard lessons from the tragedy of 26/11.

But we have also learnt that no terrorist attack will ever be able to hit at the spirit of Mumbai and its people. If that was the airm of the terrorists they miserably failed. We have witnessed in this past year the courage, resilience and determination with which Mumbaikars have resumed their lives.If the terrorists were seeking to divide our nation, create chaos and divert us from our chosen path, they miscalculated totally. India has emerged stronger,'' she said.

In a statement, Ms Gandhi said that despite passing of a year since the terror and tragedy engulfed Mumbai, this period has not dimmed the grief for those who died in the siege, sympathy for those who lost their loved ones or sense of outrage.

''We salute the memory of all those who perished during those 50 terrible hours--the unsuspecting victims whom destiny had placed in the path of terrorists bullets, the brave officers and men of Mumbai police and the National Security Guard called upon to do their duty and the hotel staff who died as they tried to shelter their guests.'' The Congress President said the country continued to draw strength and inspiration from the heroism and humanity displayed by so many ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save offers.

Also from the selfless, untiring dedication with which doctors, nurses and men of the fire department and ambulance services worked to bring succour to the wounded and traumatized and the manner in which the people of the country stood united at the time of peril.

She termed the 26/11 as an assault on a city and its spirit of vitality and enterprise, its rich pluralistic culture where people of different faiths and communities live and work together in harmony.

''It was a assult on the very idea of India,'' she added.

The Congress has urged the Maharashtra government to provide all possible of assistance to the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks. Reacting to media reports about BJP leader Kirit Sommaiya meeting Minister of State in Prime Minister'S Office Prithviraj Chavan with the affidavit of the Maharashtra government showing that many victims of 26/11 were still to get compensation, Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan said it was a matter of serious concern and immediate relief be provided to the families of those killed in the terror attacks and the survivors.

-- (UNI) -- 25DI19.xml

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