New Delhi, Commending the historic role played by freedom fighters during the struggle for independence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India, despite its "tremendous" diversity has emerged as a successful democracy.

"Despite tremendous diversities, we have emerged as a successful functioning democracy," Singh said after receiving the first copy of the 2007 calender from UPA Chairperson and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi at a function here.

Describing India as a "unique" country, the Prime Minister said "there is no country of India's size, of India's diversity, of India's complexity, trying to seek its economic and social salvation in the framework of rigorously functioning democracy committed to the rule of law and respect for fundamental human freedoms."

"This fact is now recognised as never before in the world and it is only appropriate that our children, should not forget the message of our freedom struggle," he said.

Gandhi released the calender, brought out by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and presented its first copy to Singh.