Amidst the raging controversy over the N-deal, PM Manmohan Singh said the country should not dither because of "fear of some ghosts in our mind".
NEW DELHI: Amidst the raging controversy over the Indo-US nuke deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the country should not dither because of "fear of some ghosts in our mind", lamenting that the polity was far too obsessed with the past and ignorant about the future.
"The world is looking at India with renewed hope, as it did in the first decade after Independence. This is our moment, let us not dither, let us not shy away in fear of some ghosts in our mind so that India may truly make its tryst with destiny," Singh said felicitating Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar on his 85th birth anniversary here.
Observing that the country needed people of courage and conviction in public life, the Prime Minister said that far too much of political life was focused on the here and now and far too much of political discourse was obsessed with the past and ignorant about the future.
"We need people who can think into the future and look to the challenges of tomorrow and take the country forward. If we remain divided, defensive, disruptive in our discourse, our children and grand children will not forgive us. They will find us wanting in the scale of history for not having had the courage to grapple with the real challenges of today," Singh said.
Singh said "our people expect great things from us, for that is why they still have faith in the institutions of democracy."
Describing Jakhar as a "towering" personality, President Pratibha Patil said in whatever capacity that he has worked; he has brought honour and prestige to each position.
Lauding the role of Jakhar as the custodian of Lok Sabha for two terms, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said he had added lustre to the House with great ability by taking everyone along.
"I wish he now presides over the House, "Chatterjee said adding "I can understand what stamina and patience he must be endowed with".
In a lighter vein, the Speaker said he was willing to exchange his position with Jakhar, evoking applause from audience.
Jakhar, a former Union Agriculture Minister who championed the cause of peasants, said he would continue to serve the farming community in whichever way he could.
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