Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120250230100.htm

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Idea of India will triumph: Chidambaram

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: The new Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, said on Monday that the terror strikes in Mumbai were an attack on the “very soul and idea of India that we love which is secular, pluralist, tolerant and open.”

Talking to journalists soon after assuming charge of the Home Ministry, Mr. Chidambaram asserted that he had no doubt in his mind that the “idea of India will triumph with the help and support of the people of India.”

Reassuring the people on behalf of the government, the Minister asserted: “We will respond with determination and resolve to the grave threats posed to the Indian nation.” Mr. Chidambaram said that he recognised that there was a sense of “anguish” among the people. “Like every one of you, I have heard [the] anguished voice of India over the last few days,” he said.