21st Century belongs to India:Advani

Kochi, Apr 27 (UNI) Declaring that the 21st century belongs to India, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today said time will come when the entire world will recognise this truth.

Speaking at a function here today to release his autobiography 'My Country My Life', Mr Advani said already India was being respected all over the world and its potential recognised.

Stating that the country had immense natural resources, Mr Advani said by utilising modern technology, a clean, healthy, strong, prosperous and enlightened India can be created.

''I have no doubt that this is possible. The potential is immense,'' he added.

Mr Advani said he was very happy that both the RSS and the BJP had been instrumental in ''building the kind of India we have dreamt about.'' Talking of the younger generation, he said that it had far better intelligence quotient than the earlier generations and had much higher exposure.

However, it lacked ''emotional quotient'', which came only with maturity, he added.

Referring to his autobiography, Mr Advani said that it was less about his life and more about the development of the country. ''This book is not only about the past but also the present and the future,'' he added.

Alluding to remarks from certain quarters that the book had been timed perfectly ahead of the next general elections and his nomination as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Mr Advani said these charges were not correct.

Stating that he was reluctant to write the book, the BJP leader said it would not have seen the light of the day but for his wife and daughter.

Film star Mammooty, Kerala Congress (Mani) leader K M Mani, Bharatiya Vichar Kendra Director P Parameswaran, BJP All-India Secretary Balbir Punj and several other eminent people were among those present at the function, organised by the BJP.

UNI ARC KKS1655