Indian members of Leftist organizations carry placards bearing the image of former Cuban president Fidel Castro during a remembrance rally in Kolkata, Nov. 26. Cuba’s historic revolutionary leader Fidel Castro died, Nov. 25, aged 90, after defying the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule and surviving the eclipse of global communism. (Dibyangshu Sarkar\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Paying rich tributes to Cuba\u2019s late leader Fidel Castro, India said Cubans under him have achieved notable success in areas like education and health despite \u201coutside pressures\u201d and Havana\u2019s \u201csignificant voice\u201d for the cause of the Global South brought the two countries together, writes Yoshita Singh. <\/b>\u2013 @siliconeer #siliconeer #World #UnitedNations #UN #Cuba #FidelCastro #HomagetoFidelCastro #India<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cFidel Castro indeed towered on the global stage. Under his leadership the people of Cuba achieved notable development successes in areas such as education and healthcare, despite outside pressures,\u201d India\u2019s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, said, Dec. 20, at a special commemorative meeting in the General Assembly to pay tribute to the late commander of the Cuban revolution.<\/p>\n
Akbaruddin said Cuba gave a \u201csignificant voice\u201d for the cause of the Global South, and this is what drew India and Cuba together. Over the years, the two nations have worked together closely at the UN to promote the aspects of economic equity and social justice in international relations, he added.<\/p>\n
Nearly 30 envoys representing regional groups and nations paid tributes to Castro, who died at age of 90, Nov. 25, and his indelible legacy during the ceremony, presided over by General Assembly President Peter Thomson. While speakers included Russia, South Africa, Iran and China, there were no representatives from Western nations.<\/p>\n
Akbaruddin said Indians learnt about Castro\u2019s demise last month \u201cwith a sense of loss.\u201d Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described Castro as one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th<\/sup> century and had captured the emotions of India\u2019s one billion people when he stated that the country mourns the loss of a \u201cgreat friend,\u201d Akbaruddin added.<\/p>\n As a mark of respect to the legendary leader, members of both houses of the Indian Parliament had paid tributes to the late leader.<\/p>\n The Indian envoy told the General Assembly that India was one of the first countries to recognize Castro\u2019s government after the Cuban revolution in 1959. \u201cFidel Castro was a stalwart of the Non Aligned Movement during the Cold War years, when India and Cuba commenced their close partnership to advance the interests of developing countries,\u201d Akbaruddin said.<\/p>\n UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in his message on the occasion said, Castro was \u201cone of the most important Latin American leaders of the 20th<\/sup> century\u201d and \u201cthe most influential shaper of Cuban history since his own hero, Jose Marti, struggled for Cuban independence in the late 19th<\/sup> century.\u201d<\/p>\n The outgoing UN Chief said as president, Castro turned Cuba into a \u201cregional model of access to education and public health\u201d and \u201cuntil his last days he was deeply concerned about the future of humanity and challenges of the current times.\u201d<\/p>\n Castro left \u201ca major imprint on his country and global politics,\u201d Ban said in remarks read by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca.<\/p>\n Lauding Castro\u2019s \u201ccharismatic and wise leadership,\u201d Akbaruddin said India will always \u201cremember and cherish our friendship\u201d with the \u201cstrong leader of a resilient nation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Indian members of Leftist organizations carry placards bearing the image of former Cuban president Fidel Castro during a remembrance rally in Kolkata, Nov. 26. Cuba’s historic revolutionary leader Fidel Castro died, Nov. 25, aged 90, after defying the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule and surviving the eclipse of global communism. (Dibyangshu Sarkar\/AFP\/Getty…<\/p>\n