The Hindu : Misplaced criticism, says Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004

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Misplaced criticism, says Advani

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 18. Taking a dig at the critics of ``India Shining'' campaign, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, said today that he failed to understand why the campaign was being opposed.

``I would have understood the criticism if the campaign was ``BJP Shining,'' but why should there be any criticism of India Shining? I think the criticism is misplaced,'' he said addressing a small gathering at his residence here to mark Maharishi Dayanand's enlightenment on Mahashivratri Day.

Referring to the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, which witnessed the creation of Bangladesh, Mr. Advani said it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had bestowed praise on the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, for India's victory.

He said the greatest achievement of the NDA Government was the self-confidence it had created in every Indian.

``Economic and industrial progress, development of infrastructure are some of the landmarks of the NDA Government which are being recognised the world over. Citizens are now confident that India is on the road to achieve superpower status and to lead the world like it once used to,'' Mr. Advani said.

Mr. Advani said the country had made ``extraordinary'' progress in the last five years and said there was increasing acceptance of this all over the world. Many non-resident Indians who had participated in the recent Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas had told him that there was a new found respect for Indians around the world.

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