Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM visits Shastri Monument in Tashkent

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Mrs. Gurusharan Kaur visited the Shastri Monument in Tashkent and paid their tribute to the memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri by laying a wreath and observing a minute's silence in front of the monument.

The Mayor of Tashkent received the Prime Minister and said that the areas where the Shastri Monument is located is one of the most serene and green areas of Tashkent. He said, "we have a school here and the children often play in this park around the monument. Children from other schools in Tashkent who are learning Hindi language often come here because they associate this park with India because of the monument. This has become like a India Square in Tashkent. Many people who have fond memories of India come here to enjoy the serenity of this place."

Thanking the Mayor of Tashkent for the attention being paid to the Shastri Monument, Prime Minister Manmohan Signh said: "Lal Bahadur Shastriji was a great son of India and a leader who is deeply loved and admired for his integrity, his sincerity, his courage and his patriotism. Last year we observed the Birth Centenary of Shastriji and our entire country recalled his commitment to our nation, to our farmers and soldiers and to our people. I am very happy that the people of Tashkent have erected this memorial to pay tribute to his memory. Shastriji passed away here in Tashkent but he lives on in our hearts and minds. The serenity of this place where your have built this monument symbolizes the serenity we associate with Shastriji. I thank you on behalf of our people for keeping his memory alive."