INDIA WILL ONLY GET GREATER

No force on earth can weaken us, says PM
Tuesday, 03 January , 2006, 17:05
Hyderabad: Condemning the recent terrorist attack on Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday sought to send out a strong message to the perpetrators of violence saying "no force on Earth can weaken the resolve of Indian people". Discuss: Terrorists will not win!

Opening his inaugural address at the 93rd Indian Science Congress in Hyderabad with a tribute to Prof MC Puri, who was killed in the terror attack, the Prime Minister said the slain scientist was a 'soldier of knowledge' who lived a life of peace dedicated to science and education.

"Dr Puri was gunned down in the greatest temple of Indian science by the most reprehensible and cowardly enemies of our people," Singh said, as the incident cast a grim shadow on the gathering of scientists.

Stating that the 'symbols and temples of our knowledge society' were being targeted by terrorists, he asserted, "I am confident that all our knowledge workers will close ranks and join the struggle to make India a great nation, a humane and modern nation and a knowledge power".

Against the backdrop of the Bangalore incident and Andhra Pradesh police recently busting a terror network, tight security arrangements were made at the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) campus, the venue of the Congress about 15 kilometres from the city.