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R Venkataraman praises Vajpayee for N-tests

Former president R Venkataraman today congratulated Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for showing courage and wisdom in successfully launching nuclear tests.

In a letter to Vajpayee, the former president said as early as 1983, when he was the defence minister, all preparations for underground tests at Pokhran were completed and said, ''I myself went down the shaft to see things for myself.''

It was shelved because of international pressure, and the same thing happened in 1995.

Venkataraman said that Vajpayee has enhanced the prestige of India among the world community and proved India's technological excellence to the developing countries.

Prime ministers are a dime a dozen, they come and go, unwept, unsung, but you will be indelible in the nation's memory, the letter said.

UNI

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