India's achievements are success story of progress: Shekhawat

Port of Spain, Trinidad, Nov 10 (UNI) Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today said India's creditable achievements since Independence ''are a success story of progress in a democratic framework''.

''India has shown how people's problems can be successfully addressed through discussions, dialogues and decisions taken in a spirit of consensus, peace and harmony,'' Mr Shekhawat said here this afternoon at the luncheon hosted in his honour jointly by Mr Rawle Titus, Vice-President of the Trinidad and Tobago Senate (Upper House) and Mr Hedwidge Bereaux, Dy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Later, the Vice-President also witnessed the proceedings of Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.

Lauding the similarities between both the countries, Mr Shekhawat said, ''I am happy to see that both India and Trinadad have so much in common. We both fought for our Independence from colonial rule and yet opted to be part of the Commonwealth.'' ''Today, both our countries are vibrant democracies amid diversities of languages, religions, ethnic groups and cultures, as also diversity of political ideologies. Yet, our Parliamentary institutions successfully cope with these challenges and lead our nations on to the path of progress and development,'' he said.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi's 'mantra' of real democracy, 'True democracy is what promotes welfare of the people', Mr Shekhawat said, ''Indeed, taking care of the welfare of the common man, attending to his problems with sensitivity is the very essence of democracy. People's faith in the democratic system can be sustained only when it is effective enough to provide them security and promote their welfare.'' The Vice-President said, '' We are also happy that India and Trinidad and Tobago have shared perception on a large number of international issues. We have to strive together to strengthen democracy, promote international peace and security, combat terrorism and encourage multilateralism in global affairs.'' UNI HS RL RAI2335