Paintings by Caravaggio

Col.Abdul Gamal Nasser was one of those ardent patriots who dedicated their lives to serve their lpeople and country. In 1953. Colonel Nasser seized power in Egypt soon after the revolt of 1952, which had ended the monarchy of King Farouk. Under the leadership of General Naguib, they forced him to flee the country. Nasser took over thlpresidentship of Egypt and took steps to strengthen his country. He was highly successful in his foreign policy measures and soon Egypt was recognized as a prime power in the Arab world. He had placed Egypt to its rightful glory.

Egypt had to pass through very difficult times during his 14-year rule. Britain, France and many other powers were always on a look-out for an excuse to throw him out. They got this opportunity when Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal (1956) that passed through Egypt and was the lifeline between Asia and Europe. They attacked Egypt but had to withdraw due to international pressure. Thus he had revolutionized his country and made it a political power to be reckoned with.

In spite of his being a soldier. Nasser worked for peace in the world. He was a founder of Non-aligned Movement with Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru and President Tito of Yugoslavia. He was an astute statesman, who steered Egypt as a neutral country and kept it away from the two super-power blocs led by the US and the former USSR. Nasser was a sincere friend of India and had proposed a solution for the Indo-China border conflict in October 1963.

When it seemed that Nasser had a firm grip on power in Egypt and was actually doing something to modernize the country, foreigners began to take notice. His regime did not falter even though Nasser lost the six-day war of 1967 against Israel. When he died in 1970, he was greatly mourned.