Tomorrow the world enters a new century and a new age.

A new chapter in the history of mankind beings as the sun sets for the last time in the 20th century.

This is an occasion for cheer and joy.

Doubly so because the ordeal of our sisters and brothers, of the little children, held hostage by the hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane is nearing and end. They will soon be back with their families to usher in the New Year.

As you are aware, the hijackers, Government was guided by two concern: the safety of the passengers and the crew, and the long-term, overall interests of our country.

The hijacking, diabolic and evil as it is, is but the latest manifestation. We must not spare any effort, India shall not spare any effort to thwart the phenomenon itself.

The hijacking of the Indian Airlines Plane once again reminds us of the terrible reality of terrorism.

For two decades now, this menace has exacted a cruel price from us in India. Thousands of innocent, defenceless men, women and children have been done to death. Tens of thousands of families have lost their home and hearth.

Surely, the time has come for the world to confront this evil. To act in concert and crush it.

The battle against terrorism can be won.

By all nations acting together. By outdoing the terrorist in patience, in technology, in strength, in intelligence.

India shall join hands across nations to rid the world of this crime against humanity.

Let this be our first resolution for the New Century.

Dear Countrymen,

The challenge we face today is a sign of the challenging times ahead. Terrorism is only one of the challenges that we will have to overcome in the 21st century.

We have to wipe out the twin curse of poverty and illiteracy. We have to ensure that every Indian has a shelter and the poorest of the power access to a life of dignity.

We have to break down barriers of caste, language and religion. We have to erase artificial boundaries that separate Indians from Indians. We have to remove all forms of discrimination, especially discrimination against women.

The key to this new society is fast economic development and rapid social change. We have to ensure growth with equity so that every Indian benefits from India's prosperity.

India shall become a developed country.

Let this be our second resolution for the New Century.

Dear Countrymen,

We have to excel-as individuals and as a nation.

We have the best talent in science and technology. Our sportsmen and rated among the best in the world. Our teachers are in demand in the best universities abroad. Our farmers defy great odds to produce record harvests. Our industry has the potential to stand up to all competition.

The closing decades of the 20th century have fetched a bounty of opportunities. New vistas have been opened up by discoveries that could not have been imagined even 20 years ago.

With such talent and resources, we can excel as a nation. We must seize the opportunities of the coming era of emerge as a mighty nation whose strength shall lie in her achievements.

India shall excel.

Let this be our third resolution for the New Century.

Dear Countrymen,

On January 26 we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our Republic.

The Constitution of India has served as the beacon for our democracy, establishing the rule of law and the supremacy of the people. In 50 years we have grown to become a vibrant democracy, and the world's largest.

But while the spirit of democracy and the faith of the people in a democratic system have survived the test of time, our institutions have begun to show signs of corrosion. That needs to be checked and rectified immediately.

To ensure the health of our democracy, our institutions need to be strengthened, with your help, to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

India's institutions shall be restored to health.

Let this be our fourth resolution for the New Century.

Dear Countrymen,

We enter the 21st century with a civilisational history that stretches back to more than 5,000 years.

From time immemorial, we have nourished traditions and values whose strength the rest of the world has only now begun to acknowledge.

We are the inheritors of the virtue of righteousness; we believe in the power of good to triumph over evil. Our sages and savants foresaw truths to which the world has now begun to turn - for direction, for solace, for wisdom.

As Sri Aurobindo said:

~The sun of India's destiny would rise and fill all India with its light and overflow India and overflow Asia and overflow the world…~

Let us make the New Century an Indian century.

May 2000 and beyond truly be a new age and a new era of brotherhood among all peoples and prosperity among the nations.

Jai Hind!