People should show confidence like freedom fighters: PM

PM has asked people to show the same confidence in their encounters with new markets as shown by freedom fighters when they led the country to Independence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday asked people to show the same degree of self-confidence in their encounters with new markets and new opportunities as that shown by freedom fighters when they led the country to Independence.

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In his first Independence Day address, the economist Prime Minister wanted the youth to understand Mahatma Gandhi's message that each one has the power to do good for the nation if "we are only so determined".

Singh also reminded the people of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's wise words that "India will be what we are our thoughts and actions will shape her."

He recalled that Panditji had then said 'all of us talk of India and all of us demand many things from India. What do we give her in return?'

Calling for reviving the spirit of community service and the spirit of nationalism, especially among the youth, he said "Let us all work together to revive the spirit of idealism, self-sacrifice, discipline and unity of purpose that characterised our freedom struggle."

He expressed confidence that people of India have the will, determination and resources to meet this challenge.

Singh said that India's destiny beckoned its citizens to pool all their wisdom, experience and knowledge to make this future happen.

He felt this was possible and within reach. "Our government will do all that lies within its power to convert this dream into a living reality so that this ancient land of Bharat once again becomes a major powerhouse of both knowledge and creativity," he said committing his government to the fulfilment of this "sacred national task".