India at 70 is greatest experiment in history of world: Navtej Sarna

Indian high commissioner in the UK was speaking at a mela organised to celebrate India's 70th Independence day

India has proved everyone wrong who had questioned its chances of survival at the time of independence, Indian high commissioner in the UK Navtej Sarna has said at a mela organised here to celebrate India's 70th Independence day.

Addressing the gathering of over 10,000 people of Indian-origin India's High Commissioner to the UK Navtej Sarna said the country has proved wrong those who questioned India's chances of survival.

"70 years ago, there were many who questioned India's chances of survival, but India had proved them wrong.

"This is an occasion to reflect and collectively thank the thousands of freedom fighters, not just the leaders of the freedom movement but also those who remained anonymous.

"India at 70 is the greatest experiment in the history of the world. People around the world were sceptical if India could survive. They have been proved wrong. Today nothing on earth can stop India's growth," he said.

Union food minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who attended the event said, "India has the most unique governing institutions enshrined in the constitution which was developed by stalwarts of the freedom struggle such as Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar."

Paswan recalled the contributions by leaders from various religious communities towards India's freedom struggle.

He also visited the house in north London where Ambedkar lived as a student in the 1920 which is being converted into a memorial in his honour.

Labour MPs Virendra Sharma and Mrs Seema Malhotra were among those present.