From the Hindu,Thursday, November 16,2006

SHIMLA: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai who was on a private visit here on Wednesday praised India for its generous help to his country in the past five years.

Answering questions of Himachal University students of which he is an alumnus, Mr. Karzai said: "We had old and historical relations with India and the latter has always acted as a `frontliner' in helping the war-torn country of ours. Though India is not an aid giving nation, it has given a help of $700 million to us."

In his salutation to India, he said: "The country is becoming a world leader in economy and advancement of science and technology. It has great institutions and has a tremendous freedom," he added.

President Karzai, who reminisced the minute details of his stay in Shimla, avoided political questions.

Second term

Asked about his opting for a second term as President, Mr. Karzai said he wanted a future for Afghanistan and the continuation of a legacy of a prosperous and developed nation. "I won't mind the new generation to come and take over," he added. He said though there was peace now in his country the process of containing Taliban was on.

Recalling his student days in Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Karzai said: "The salubrious environs of Shimla had left a magical impression." Highlighting the simplicity and deep virtues of the hill people, he said for a student there could not be a better-privileged atmosphere for studies. "Shimla had given me the English language, and before coming here I was a native Afghan not knowing a word of English." He recollected his days in the S.D.B. College, H.P. University Summer Hill, local YMCA, the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies guest house and his frienship with Pushto-speaking Sikhs.

Remembers dhabas

He remembered various restaurants and "dhabas" of Shimla. Students, teachers and employees of the Himachal University were delighted by his narrations.