PM asks people to remain firm and disciplined
NEW DELHI, DEC. 21.–The Prime Minister asked the people today to remain “firm and disciplined as the situation is such I do not know if the war is over or not, reports PTI.
Addressing a large number of people who had gone to her residence to donate money for the defence fund and gifts for jawans, Mrs. Gandhi said she was happy India had been able to help Bangladesh.
“We have to be firm, disciplined and strong. We have been fighting for certain ideals and we should stick to them,” she said.
Earlier, Mr. K. N. Modi, Vice-Chairman of the Modi Enterprises presented her a cheque of Rs. 11 lakhs. The company had already contributed articles and other things for jawans worth about Rs. 5 lakhs. Mr. Modi said.
A number of voluntary organisation of women and youth and individuals gathered at Mrs Gandhi’s residence early this morning and presented a large number of gifts for jawans.
The Prime Minister is reported to have said India was committed to assist the Bangladesh Government in rehabilitating their economy. Whatever might be the quantum of assistance to be given, the burden on the economy should not create any alarm. There was a large field to complementarity in the economies of India and Bangladesh.
Mrs. Gandhi also strongly urged the need to reduce dependence on external assistance specially in the light of recent experience where aid had been used by forign countries to the disadvantage of the receiving country.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24. 12. 1971