Proud to be Indian

It is a personal experience, as well as a moment of national pride, which Omar Qureshi want to share with you--

In the middle of 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, US government-then a close friend of Pakistan-threatened India with stopping food-aid (remember "PL-480"?). 
For a food deficient India this threat was serious and humiliating. So much so that in the middle of war, then, Prime Minister (Late) Lal Bahadur Shastri went to Ram Leela Grounds in Delhi and appealed to each Indian to observe one-meal-fast every week to answer American threat. 

As a school boy, I joined those millions who responded to Shastriji's call. I continued fast even when the war was over and India became self sufficient in food. Hurt deep by national humiliation suffered at the hands of US government, I had vowed to stop my weekly fast only when India starts giving aid to USA. It took just 40 years. 

Last week THE day arrived. When Indian ambassador in Washington DC handed over a cheque of US$ 50 million to US government, 2 plane loads of food, medical aid and other relief materials were waiting to fly to USA. Time to break the fast? With no bad feeling about USA, and good wishes for Katrina victims, this humble Indian feels proud of the distance India has covered in 40 years. Let's celebrate a New India!" 

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