President of India Greets Dr. Nelson Mandela on His 90th Birthday

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has greeted the former President of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela on his 90th birthday today.

In her message she has said, "My countrymen join me today in felicitating an icon who fired the imagination of millions across the world in practicing what Mahatma Gandhi preached. The great liberation of South Africa from apartheid spearheaded by you, and your leadership of the country thereafter have shown that it is possible to resolve even the bitterest of differences with a spirit of reconciliation.

As we warmly recall your landmark visits to India during the last decade, we also remember your contribution in laying the foundation stone of a rapidly growing strategic partnership between India and South Africa.

I wish you many more years of service to your country and to humanity."

This release issued at 1910 hrs.