NEW DELHI, May 17 (BSS): Outgoing Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh has said time has come that India can be a major powerhouse of the evolving global economy.
He said, by blending tradition with modernity and unity with diversity, the country can show the way forward to the world.
Addressing the nation before laying down his office, he said India is a far stronger country in every respect than it was a decade ago.
He, however, said there is vast latent development potential in the country and all must collectively work hard to realise it.
He said ten years ago when I was entrusted with this responsibility, I entered upon it with diligence as my tool, truth as my beacon and a prayer that I might always do the right thing.
Mr Manmohan said today, as I prepare to lay down office, I am aware that well before the final judgment that we all await from the Almighty, there is judgment in the court of public opinion that all elected officials and governments are required to submit themselves to.
He said fellow citizens, each one of us should respect the judgment that you have delivered.
"The just concluded elections have deepened the foundations of our democratic polity. As I have said on many occasions, my life and tenure in public office are an open book. I have always tried to do my best in serving this great nation of ours. Today, India is a far stronger country in every respect than it was a decade ago. I give credit for these successes to all of you. However, there is still vast latent development potential in our country and we must collectively work hard to realise it," he added.
He said, "As I leave office, my abiding memory will be the love and kindness that I have always received from you. I owe everything to this country, this great land of ours where I, an underprivileged child of Partition, was empowered enough to rise and occupy high office. It is both a debt that I will never be able to repay and a decoration that I will always wear with pride."
Mr Manmohan said, "I am confident about the future of India. I firmly believe that the emergence of India as a major powerhouse of the evolving global economy is an idea whose time has come."
