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Speech by His Highness The Aga Khan IV
C.C.I. , Bombay
23rd November, 1967

Mr. Sheriff, Honourable Chief Justice, Committee of Hosts, Ladies and Gentlemen
In the last ten years, it has been My good fortune to visit Bombay five times, and you, Mr. Sheriff, did Me the great honour of offering a similar reception to Me during My last visit in 1962. I thank you and the committee of hosts for your kindness. Your good wishes for the numerous garlands and for the most magnificent casket which I have been offered.

I would also like to say a special word of thanks for the beautifully framed poems. Mr. Sheriff, your receptions are always most enjoyable and have given Me a unique occasion to meet the elite of this cosmopolitan city of Bombay, and I am very grateful indeed to you for your welcome.

We look to the institutions, which have offered Me this reception, which is most impressive indeed, and it is no doubt due to their fine work that Bombay has changed so enormously in the last five years. What appeared to be , very insurmountable problems ten years ago, are solved or are on the way, with little thought of the tremendous voluntary efforts of the institutions which you are representing today, Mr. Sheriff, which have contributed substantially to the official jobs that I have seen

You may rest assured that the Ismaili community which has been loyal, and will remain loyal and hard-working, will not spare their efforts in fulfilling those ways which have been so wisely underlined by your President, His Excellency Dr. Zakir Hussain.

You have been good enough to refer to My gift of the Aga Khan Palace at Poona to the Government of India for memorial to the late Mahatma Gandhi. It is a tribute which the members of My community and Myself are happy to pay to a great leader of men and minds. And I am hopeful that the gift may take its official form during the Gandhi Centenary celebrations in two tears time.

I take this occasion to thank you, Mr. Sheriff, once again, and the committee of hosts for this very, very pleasant and enjoyable reception. May the future bring you all happiness, prosperity and success in your worldly endeavours for the betterment of the people of India.

Thank you