The Hindu : National : Somnath unveils bust of Gandhiji in Germany

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Friday, Jun 30, 2006

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Somnath unveils bust of Gandhiji in Germany

Special Correspondent

Mahatma's message is more relevant now

ON A HIGH PEDESTAL: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee in Bundestag building in Berlin on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Thursday unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the Bundestag (Parliament) building of the Federal Republic of Germany in Berlin.

Mr. Chatterjee, leading a parliamentary delegation to the country, told his German counterpart, Norbert Lammert, "We, the Parliamentarians and the people of India, stand honoured by your gesture of placing the Mahatma on [a] high pedestal in your Parliament. In fact, it is an honour for all the peace-loving people across the world."

He said the Mahatma's message of truth and non-violence was more relevant than ever before and called for concerted efforts by all the nations to make the world terror free, a Lok Sabha secretariat release said here.

Earlier, Dr. Lammert welcomed the Parliamentarians after which the two sides held delegation-level talks.

Issues concerning trade and bilateral relations figured prominently with some members from India drawing the attention of their German counterparts to the difficulties faced by them in securing visas.

The German side evinced keen interest in understanding the recently concluded India-U.S. nuclear deal, functioning of democracy and Parliament, usage of electronic voting machines and other related issues.

Mr. Chatterjee and Dr. Lammert also met separately and addressed a joint press conference.

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