India will never let terrorists win: PM

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Declaring that ''no one can make India kneel'' as its citizens will remain united and never let their ''enemies'' win, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said this has been amply proved by the people of Mumbai and Srinagar by returning to normal life within hours of the series of terrorist bomb attacks.

''I salute the people of Mumbai and Srinagar for the speed with which they have returned to normal life today. This is living proof of our contempt for terrorism,'' Dr Singh said in an address to the nation on Doordarshan.

Assuring the victims that the government would do everything possible to assist each one of them, he said, ''Mumbai stands tall once again as the symbol of a united India, an inclusive India. Let me say again, no one can make India kneel. No one can come in the path of our progress.'' Acknowledging that the people of Mumbai and Srinagar once again endured the trauma of terrorism yesterday, Dr Singh said the nation stood by them in this hour of grief.

''I pay tribute to all those who showed courage and humanism in responding to the cowardice of terrorists. Your resilience and resolve will triumph over the evil designs of the merchants of death and destruction,'' he said.

He pointed out that this was not the first time that the enemies of India had tried to undermine its peace and prosperity.

''These elements have not yet understood that we Indians can stand united. That we will stand united. They have not yet understood that we will never let them win.'' Commending the good work done by the police, the security forces, railway staff, firemen, medical personnel, government officials and others in responding to the tragedy, Dr Singh also appreciated the people for the concern they had shown in this hour of distress.

''My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones. We will do all that is possible to help each of the families in distress. Mumbai stands tall once again as the symbol of a united India. An inclusive India.'' ''The wheels of our economy will move on. India will continue to walk tall, and with confidence,'' in an apparent acknowledgement that the attack on the commercial capital of India was aimed at disrupting the country's fast growth and dividing its people.

''Let me assure you that the Government will do whatever is required to deal with the challenge at hand. We will win this war against terror. Nothing will break our resolve.'' Addressing the people as brothers and sisters, the Prime Minister urged each one of them to remain calm. ''Do not be provoked by rumours. Do not let anyone divide us. Our strength lies in our unity. Let us stand together as one people, as one nation. Jai Hind.'' UNI SN RA HS2012