Agencies, Hyderabad
President Pranab Mukharjree today said former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had been the focal architect of resolving terrorism in Sri Lanka and Punjab and initiating political activity for betterment of common man.
Addressing first P V Memorial Lecture launched by HMTV Group of Print and Electronic Media at Jubilee Hall here, the President said PV’s political acumen had also elevated India as a leader of the league ASEAN countries and placed it on a firm pedestal in the super power block in the hemisphere.
“We are now holding summits at par with NATO and other global leagues,” he said.
He said Narasimha Rao was a multifaceted personality whose thrust towards economic reforms under Manmohan Singh had insulated India against present global recession and downswing.
Describing Narasimha Rao as a multifaceted personality, the President said the first south Indian Prime Minister had delivered India from its economic shackles and ushered in an era global linkage to the Indian financial and economic systems.
Mr Mukharjee said thanks to Narasimha Rao only peace returned to the green belt of Punjab where elections were postponed twice in 1989 and 1991 due to Khalistan and Akali issues. After the Rajiv- Laongowal Pact it was Narasimha Rao who strove to ensure reinstation of political activity in the state.
The President said though people had given him only a limited mandate in the 1991 elections the mission was not only to rule but also carry on the people with him.
