The Hindu : National : Vaiko, a born fighter: Farooq

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National

Vaiko, a born fighter: Farooq

Special Correspondent

MDMK chief's book “Yes; We can!” released

— Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

OBAMA IN FOCUS:Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah (second left) releases a book ‘Yes, We Can' written by MDMK chief Vaiko (third left) in New Delhi on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal (second right), former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala (left) and former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha are also seen.

NEW DELHI: The English translation of the book authored by MDMK general secretary Vaiko recalling the history of emancipation of blacks – “Yes; We can!” – was released here on Tuesday by New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal received the first copy.

Paying rich encomiums to Mr. Vaiko, who “is a born fighter and he has never given up his struggle for a cause” for bringing out the book, Dr. Abdullah said the book not only referred to the sufferings of the black in the United States for over 200 years but the world over and how they fought against oppression and gained their rights and independence.

Referring to the struggles faced by India to come to this level of development, the minister said the country never wanted enemies and it was never indulged in aggression and always wanted to be on the defensive.

“India's soul is one”

“India's soul is one, we have to protect it and if we don't do it India will disintegrate,” he said adding that Indians should be grateful for the nation they belonged to.

The former Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, hoped the book would bring about the change in the mindset of United States.

WikiLeaks

Referring to WikiLeaks, he said that he expected the U.S. to behave in a better manner in the future.

Mr. Badal appreciated Mr. Vaiko's tremendous fight for the cause of Tamils world over and the sacrifices he had made.

The message sent by the U.S. President Barack Obama to blacks world-wide was that if one had the determination one could achieve the goal come what might be.

An achiever

Mr. Vaiko said Mr. Obama had achieved what no body else could do.

Mr. Vaiko recalled an instance where he declared that Mr. Obama would occupy the highest post of U.S. one day in an interview but everybody ridiculed him.

But that had been proved right now, he said.

AIADMK parliamentary leader M. Thambidurai, the TDP parliamentary leader Nama Nageswara Rao and the former Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, participated in the book release function.

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