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WORLD  India Emerging As Big Power: PM FROM SIFY NEWS INDIA, Feb 3 (VNN) — New Delhi, Feb 1 Disapproving of the pessimistic view on the future of India, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Saturday asserted that the country was emerging as a big power and the world community had accepted this reality. "Times are changing and we cannot deny the reality. The world is recognising the fact that India is emerging as a big power", Vajpayee said after laying the foundation stone of "Aastha Kunj" - a Rs 100 crore project aimed at developing a 200-acre area in South Delhi involving the ancient Kalkaji temple, the Shiva temple, the world famous Lotus temple and the Hare Krishna temple of ISKCON. Dismissing the cynicism displayed in certain quarters in India about its future, he said despite the drought experienced in 14 states, the country was able to control prices, keep inflation under check and even export grains. Taking a dig on cynics, he quipped, "Sometimes people say the country is going deep down an abyss. I tell them I have been watching the country for the past 50 years but it has not gone into abyss so far. Nor will it ever go". The Prime Minister exhorted the people to develop a positive outlook towards life so that India could continue as a great country. "It is very easy to crib and criticise the commissions and omissions of others but to be progressive one has to develop a positive bent of mind", he added. Story URL Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
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