Indira Gandhi, India's Prime Minister, has been assassinated. She was mother not only to me but to the whole nation. She served the Indian people to the last drop of her blood.

The country knows with what tireless dedication she toiled for the development of India. You all know how dear to her heart was the dream of a united, peaceful and prosperous India, an India in which all Indians, irrespective of their religion, language or political persuasion, live together as one big family in an atmosphere free from mutual rivalries and prejudices.

By her untimely death her work remains unfinished. It is for us to complete this task.

This is a moment of profound grief. The foremost need now is to maintain our balance. We can and must face this tragic ordeal with fortitude, courage and wisdom. We should remain calm and exercise the maximum restraint. We should not let our emotions get the better of us, because passion would cloud judgment.

Nothing would hurt the soul of our beloved Indira Gandhi more than the occurrence of violence in any part of the country..