No one can make India kneel: PM

Saluting the people of Mumbai and Srinagar for the speed with which they have returned to normal life, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday night said the war against terror will be won and that 'no one can make India kneel.'

"This is not the first time that the enemies of our nation have tried to undermine our peace and prosperity. These elements have not yet understood that we Indians can stand united. That we will stand united. They have not yet understood that we will never let them win," he said in an address to the nation over television.

Giving an assurance that government would extend all possible help to each of the families in distress, he said, "Mumbai stands tall once again as the symbol of a united India -- An inclusive India."

"Let me say, no one can make India kneel. No one can come in the path of our progress. The wheels of our economy will move on. India will continue to walk tall, and with confidence," he said a day after terror attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar.

Paying tribute to all those who showed courage and humanism in responding to the cowardice of terrorists, Dr Singh said the nation stands by the people of Mumbai and Srinagar, who have endured the trauma of terrorism, in this hour of grief.

"Your resilience and resolve will triumph over the evil designs of the merchants of death and destruction," he said.

Complimenting the speed with which the people of the two cities returned to normal life, he said: "This is living proof of our contempt for terrorism."

The prime minister commended the 'good work' done by the police, the security forces, railway staff, firemen, medical personnel, government officials and others in responding to the tragedy. "My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones. We will do all that is possible to help each of the families in distress," he said.

Asserting that the government will do whatever is required to deal with the challenge at hand, Dr Singh said: "We will win this war against terror. Nothing will break our resolve."

Urging people to remain calm, he said, "Do not be provoked by rumours. Do not let anyone divide us. Our strength lies in our unity. Let us stand together as one people, as one nation."