On the eve of the first anniversary of the Mumbai carnage, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said the country had emerged "stronger" after the terror attack and learnt "many hard lessons".
Calling the attack as "an assault on the very idea of India", Gandhi paid tributes to Mumbaikars saying no terror attack will be able to hit at the spirit of that city and its people. 166 persons lost their lives during the 60-hour siege that began on the night of November 26 last.
"We have learnt many hard lessons from the tragedy of 26/11. But, we have also learnt that no terrorist attack will ever be able to hit at the spirit of Mumbai and its people.
"If that was the aim of the terrorists, they miserably failed...If the terrorists were seeking to divide our nation, create chaos and divert us from our chosen path, they alculated totally. India has emerged stronger," Gandhi said saluting the memory of those who perished in the attack.
She described the siege by the terrorists as "a brutal and wanton assault on innocent men, women and children...an assault on a city and its spirit of vitality and enterprise, its rich pluralistic culture. It was an assault on the very idea of India".
Paying homage to the dead and empathising with their loved ones, she said she salutes the "indomitable spirit of the people of India."
"We have seen the courage, resilience and determination with which Mumbaikars have resumed their lives."
Gandhi said the country continues to draw strength and inspiration from the heroism and humanity displayed by so many ordinary citizens, who risked their lives to save others. PTI
