Prez greets Mandela on his 90th birthday

New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil has
greeted former South African President Nelson Mandela on his
90th birthday.

In her message, Patil said all Indians joined her in
felicitating the icon who fired the imagination of millions
across the world in practising what Mahatma Gandhi preached.

"The great liberation of South Africa from apartheid
spearheaded by you and your leadership of the country
thereafter have shown that it is possible to resolve even the
bitterest of differences with a spirit of reconciliation," she
said.

Wishing Mandela with a long life, the President said the
countrymen remember his contribution in laying the foundation
stone of a rapidly growing strategic partnership between India
and South Africa.