“Nelson Mandela endured great personal hardship so that others could be provided with dignity, equality and opportunity. He fought discrimination and inhuman exclusion, but rose above bitter divisions to heal and reconcile a fractured nation. His life and work made him a citizen of the world,” he said.
“India, in particular, had great affection and regard for him. His mission was a great inspiration and moral bulwark for our principled struggle against apartheid. It also mirrored our own hope for a better world and we were greatly honoured when he accepted the highest Indian civilian award of Bharat Ratna,” the Prime Minister said.
He said today, India joins South Africa and the world in mourning his loss.
“But we know that his life and ideals will inspire generations to come. May God bless his soul,” Singh said.
