Today Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is 94 years of age. He is a universal hero. I have met him several times. The first occasion was in early March 1990, soon after his release from jail. P.V. Narasimha Rao, Anand Sharma and I were deputed by Rajiv Gandhi to convey to the great man the greetings of the Congress Party on his release. The three of us met him in a village outside the then Tanzanian capital, Dar-es-Salaam.
Meet with Rajiv Gandhi
My very special Mandela memory is of the first Mandela-Rajiv Gandhi meeting in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, on March 20, 1990. Rajiv Gandhi and I were there to participate in the independence day celebrations on March 21, 1990.
The South African flag was lowered. The Namibian flag unfurled. It was a historic moment. Sam Nujoma, the prisoner of yesterday, became President on that memorable day.
The moment Rajiv and Mandela met, they connected. The age gap melted away. Rajiv Gandhi’s opening words were, “Mr. Mandela, when my daughter heard that I would be meeting you, she said I should think of her when I shook hands with you. I am thinking of her now.” I sat in silence. I thought of the closing remarks of the speech Mr. Mandela made at the conclusion of his historic trial on April 20, 1964.
“During my lifetime I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Nelson Mandela’s moral apparatus is unique. So is his life. He is now in the evening of his life. In the garden outside his window many leaves have turned. The grandeur of his life continues to inspire. That inspiration will transcend time.
(The writer is a former External Affairs Minister of India.)
Keywords: Nelson Mandela birthday, anti-apartheid icon
Birthday is always special because it helps you to see how far you have
come and how far you still have to go. I wish you Happy Birthday from
the bottom of my heart
My best wishes to Mr.Nelson Mandela on his birthday.Mandiba the Great and popular man in the world.may God take you up to 100.we pray for you.
the First day to see Mandela physically was 1990 when he visted Tanzania and made his speech in Iringa Samora stadium where there was a heavy rain on that day but no one left untill Mandela come
Nelson Mandela is a living icon with superlative human traits.
Am proud that am living in Mandale's period.
My best wishes to Mr.Nelson Mandela on his birthday. Mr. Mandela's life is a great source of inspiration who are fighting for a life of dignity for the millions of oppressed and downtrodden people all over the world.
He faced all the indignities heaped upon him by the racist S.African regime with a great sense of fortitude and calm. His solitary confinement for more than 20 years at Robben's island is unparalleled in history.
He brought a strong sense of purpose and an unflinching will to the anti-apartheid movement.He is a firm believer in democracy,individual liberty,non-violence, equality and freedom of expression.
The fact that there is racial harmony in S.Africa and other newly liberated African nations is is in no small measure due to the efforts of Mr. Mandela.
S.Africa and The African National Congress have still a long way to go before they achieve the vision of Mr.Mandela. S.Africa is increasingly playing an important role in the community of nations and is one of the key pla
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