PM pays solemn visit to Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument in Tashkent

Tashkent, Apr 26 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadhur Shastri, who died here on January 11, 1966 after concluding the historic Tashkent agreement with the then President of Pakistan Gen Ayub Khan.

Laying a wreath at the Lal Bahadhur Shastri monument here, Dr Singh said ''He was a great son of India and a leader deeply loved and admired for his integrity, sincerity, courage and patriotism.

Serenity of the place where the monument has been built symbolises the serenity we associate with Shastriji.'' He also observed a minute's silence at the monument.

Dr Singh was received by the Mayor of Tashkent who informed him that schools have also been built near the monument where children come for learning hindi.

''The monument has become like a India Square in Tashkent. Many people who have fond memories of India come here to enjoy the serenity of the place,'' the Mayor stated.

Dr Singh told him that India observed the birth centenary of Shastriji last year and ''the entire country recalled his commitment to farmers and soldiers and to our people''.

Later, he inaugurated the Jawahar Lal Nehru India-Uzbekistan Centre for information and Technology. He said that the centre is a tool to generate employment and improveme the quality of life.

Dr Singh said India has made considerable strides in information technology. The fruits of this are now being reaped in rural india as well. ''We are also working to take connectivity to the remotests corners of India. Modern technology has reduced the barrier of time and space and enables countries to leapfrog stages of development''.

UNI SMA AT PR ND1626