NEW DELHI: Nelson Mandela, hero of antiapartheid movement, Monday received an emotional and enthusiastic reception from a crowd of over 50,000 at the Indira Gandhi. Indoor stadium here.

Thunderous applause and shouts of Long Live Mandela Lal Salaam, Lal Salaam (red salute) rent the packed stadium as the 72yearold African National Congress leader entered the podium along with Indian vice president Shankar Dayal Sharma.

As he rose to speak, the ANC leader was given a standing ovation and his eyes fell on the huge banner opposite “Nelson Mandela India salutes you”.

Acknowledging Gandhi’s role against apartheid and India’s support for the demand for an end to the pernicious system of racial segregation, Mandela declared.

“We salute you in the name of the African National Congress and the millions of oppressed, fighting people of South Africa.”

Recalling the links between the ANC and India, Mandela declared that he was here to further cement the fraternal commitment to the antiapartheid struggle till victory ‘was achieved.

“Our victory will be your victory, indeed, victory for the entire world,” the Black leader said, drawing spontaneous applause.

The ANC leader, who was welcomed with trumpet heraldry and the beating of drums, later watched a variety cultural programme with performances from different parts of the country.

In a tribute to the heroic struggle against apartheid, school children sang the and anthem at the end of the reception.

The Indian leadership informed Mandela that Rs 20 million had been set aside for assistance to South Africa and that against this sum, goods and services required by his movement could be obtained from India.

Premier Singh handed a cheque for eight million dollars to Mandela in his capacity as chairman of the Africa Fund be worked out and more accurate formulations would be achieved after technical discussions to held ‘separately,

Mandela was treated as head of state at the ceremonial reception in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan Monday morning.

Mandela will visit Agra, Varanasi and Calcutta during his five day stay in India.

Nelson Mandela, praised the Mr V P Singh, for his decision to implement the Mandal commission report on reserving federal jobs for the backward Classes.

During his meeting with Singh, the ANC leader said he could appreciate the difficulties faced by the Indian leadership and the opposition that this decision had evoked.

 According to an external affairs ministry press release, Mandela said the Indian govt’s “courageous” decision had struck a responsive chord in “our hearts and in the hearts of all those struggling against discrimination and domination”.

Mandela to be honored

NEW DELHI: The African nationalist leader, Nelson Mandela, will be honoured with India’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Bharat Ratna’.

The award will be presented to Mandela on Oct 16 at a function at the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhayan, here, an official spokesman said Sunday.

Mandela will be the second foreign national to receive India’s most coveted award.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990