Bertie delighted by Indian govt's de Valera honour
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today said he was delighted the Indian government planned to name a street in the capital New Delhi in honour of Eamon de Valera.
De Valera was regarded by many Indian leaders as friend of the state as it pushed for independence from Britain from the 1920s onwards.
And he was also remembered for a donation of 20 million rupees in 1943 to aid famine relief in Calcutta.
Mr Ahern said de Valera, the last commander to surrender in the 1916 Easter Rising, had shown solidarity and understanding with the Indian people.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Central Government and the Delhi Government and indeed to all who helped make this project a reality,” the Taoiseach said.
“It is uplifting to know that in the heart of your capital there will be a street bearing the name of a great Irish patriot and leader.”
Mr Ahern noted how former Taoiseach, President and founder of Fianna Fáil de Valera spoke of a common bond between Ireland and India.
“Addressing the Friends of Freedom for India in New York in 1920, he made clear that he saw India and Ireland as having a common cause ‘Patriots of India’, he told his audience, ‘your cause is identical with ours’,” Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern, who is on the third day of a trade mission to India, said de Valera was the towering political figure of 20th century Ireland and the personification of Irish freedom and independence.
Eamon de Valera, as Taoiseach in 1937, headed the Government when the Constitution Bunreacht na hEireann was drawn up earning huge respect from Indian leaders.
Mr Ahern noted that in 1947 Indian Prime Minister Nehru expressed admiration for the Irish Constitution and said that he intended to study it as a model for the Constitution of India.
The Taoiseach added: “When the time came, de Valera and his colleagues, and the Irish people more generally, happily reciprocated in showing understanding and solidarity as you, in turn, moved to independence.
“We shared your joy and triumph as you advanced towards your ‘tryst with destiny’ and beyond.”
The Taoiseach is due to meet President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Indian capital, New Delhi for trade talks today. Later, he will lay a wreath at Raj Ghat, the Ghandi memorial, visit St Columba’s Christian Brothers School in the city and launch the Indo-Irish Friendship Council.
