The Hindu : New Delhi News : Celebrating Indian independence again... .

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 19, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Celebrating Indian independence again... .

He took part in the historic Quit India Movement of 1942. For lending support to Mahatma Gandhi's call for independence from British rule, freedom fighter Balwant Kapoor spent several months in jail. He was only 14 years old then. Mr. Kapoor, who is now president of the Indian Overseas Congress (London), was in Delhi recently to extend invitations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath for the annual Independence Day of India function to be organised in London on January 29. These days the septuagenarian freedom fighter is concentrating all his energies on integrating the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom with Indians back home. "At the upcoming Independence Day of India function we will have a comprehensive discussion on the Indo-U.S. nuclear treaty so that all confusion surrounding the treaty is removed. Besides the Indian community, eminent British personalities and Labour and Conservative leaders will also participate," said Mr. Kapoor, who has been president of the Indian Overseas Congress for the past 15 years.

Praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Kapoor said: "Our Prime Minister has an impeccable track record of honesty and far-sightedness. An overwhelming number of Indians in the U.K. hold him in high esteem."

-- Madhur Tankha.

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