Posted on 09/28/2004 6:09:43 PM PDT by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
New York, Sep 27 (UNI) Members of the Indian-American community who attended a public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomed his speech and expressed confidence that India would soon be a developed economy.
''He spoke well. He appreciated Indian-Americans. I've high hopes,'' Munawar Haq, a business consultant in New York, told UNI.
''He did a phenomenally good job when he was a Finance Minister.
Now he himself is the Prime Minister. I have no doubts that the country will make rapid strides. His name spells confidence among the international community.'' While praising Indians in the United States and boosting bilateral cooperation in several sectors, Dr Singh reiterated government's commitment that the dual citizenship would be conferred on foreigners of Indian origin in certain countries, including the United States.
Aslam Azad, a 35-year-old employee in a travel agency, has not attended any of the Prime Minister's meetings in New York over the past three years. But this year, he wanted to make it.
''I decided to listen to our new Prime Minister, who spoke on democracy and freedom. He not only asked Indian-Americans to invest money, but also ideas. I'm sure the much-awaited dual citizenship will be a reality under this government,'' Mr Azad said.
Indian-Americans from all religions -- Hindus, Muslims and Christians -- attended the meeting. Some flew from Florida and Michigan. Others came from Vancouver, British Columbia, a western province in Canada. They expressed confidence that minorities will be safe under the Manmohan Singh government.
Tajinder Singh, a 24-year-old resident of Queens, a New York borough, said the speech was good and suggested that the people in India listen to the Prime Minister more carefully on issues like diversity.
''He didn't say anything that I wouldn't like. I hope incidents like the 1984 anti-Sikh violence (in the aftermath of the Indira Gandhi assassination) and the more recent anti-Muslim pogrom in Gujarat will be a thing of the past,'' observed Tajinder Singh, who is the president of the United Federation of Sikh Students (Queens chapter).
Though several expressed confidence about his competence and credibility, some doubted whether he would be able to deliver the goods because of the volatile political situation.
''I've doubts on that. He is not a professional politician. He may not be able to be around more than a year. But I am confident, he can do whatever possible even within that time,'' Kiran Mehta, head of the New York-based World Business Forum, said. ''Outsourcing, investments, dual citizenship. Overall I'm happy with his speech.''
"Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens."
~ Daniel Webster (1782-1852)
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