India, Singapore PMs unveil Nehru bust in Singapore

Singapore, Nov 20 (PTI) Marking an extraordinary gesture, a bust of Jawaharlal Nehru was unveiled here today, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described as an honour for India and a symbol of friendship between the two countries. The bronze bust measuring has been erected at the Asian Civilisations Museum, on a green stretch along the Singapore River, clubbing the first Indian Prime Minister with a select group of eminent global personalities, including former Chinese Communist party helmsman Deng Xiaoping. Unveiling the bust along with senior Singaporean leader Goh Chok Tong amid heavy rains, Singh said "in honouring Pandit Nehru today, you honour India and all the values that India stands for -- secularism, democracy, freedom and rule of law." Observing that the bust commemorates Nehru's association with Singapore, Singh said that the memorial would serve as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and respect for each other's achievements. Hailing Nehru, Singh said he was not just India's first Prime Minister but also a visionary, great scholar and in the true sense of the term the builder of modern India. The 'Friends of Our Shore' (FOS) marker of Nehru is located at a historically significant area in Singapore as it was on the banks of this river that modern Singapore began to build its reputation. So far, four personalities had been given this decoration, started in 2004. They are Polish-English writer Joseph Conrad (2004); Father of modern Vietnam Ho Chih Minh (2008); Filipino revolutionary leader Jose Rizal (2008) and Deng Xiaoping (2010). Nehru has been accorded the honour in recognition of his contributions to India-Singapore relations. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) had commissioned sculptor Prof Biman Bose to make the bust. The FOS project is part of Singaporean National Heritage Board's efforts to deepen cultural ties and forge heritage collaborations with its "regional and international neighbours". Feeling honoured to unveil the bust, Goh paid tributes to Nehru and said it is a symbol of longstanding friendship between Singapore and India that India's first prime minister had helped to foster with his visit. PTI