rediff.com: President K R Narayanan salutes the memory of his friend, former Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau


	HOME \| NEWS \| SPECIALS

NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES
SEARCH REDIFF

Rediff Shopping

Shop & gift from thousands of products!
  Books     Music
  Apparel   Jewellery
  Flowers   More..
Safe Shopping

Search the Internet
Tips

Tribute/ President K R Narayanan

'I grieve the death of a good friend of India'

Pierre Trudeau, for many years Canada's best known figure, passed into the ages on Thursday. The charismatic prime minister of his country for many years, Trudeau was a great friend of India, perhaps sparked off by his association with a fellow student named Kocheril Raman Narayanan at the London School of Economics in the late 1940s.

President Narayanan saluted his friend's memory in an emotional tribute on Friday night.

I am grieved to learn about the demise of Mr Pierre Elliott Trudeau, former prime minister of Canada and an outstanding figure in Canadian and world politics for over half a century.

A dynamic and charismatic leader, Mr Trudeau, was held in great esteem not only by the people of Canada but a fan-following in different parts of the globe. His contributions to the constitutional development of Canada and to preservation of the unity of Canada at a critical time in its history will be ever remembered.

He projected a refreshing image of Canada in the international field through his advocacy of nuclear disarmament, environmental protection and a more equitable economic world order.

He was one of the Western statesmen who had a feeling for and understanding of the aspirations of developing countries. He was a statesman of brilliant intellect and wide human sympathies. Behind all the flamboyance Mr Trudeau was a family man with deep attachment to his children.

I was fortunate in knowing Mr Trudeau from our days together at the London School of Economics where we had the opportunity of studying under Professor Harold Laski. I had also the unique and unforgettable experience of spending a holiday in Europe in his company in the summer of 1948.

I grieve the death of a leader of international standing, a personal friend of long standing and a good friend of India.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Trudeau, to his dear sons Justin and Sacha and to the vast circle of his friends and admirers throughout the world.

EXTERNAL LINK:
From the New York Times: Pierre Trudeau is dead at 80

Tell us what you think of this feature