New Delhi
From India’s Mars Mission to the Government’s pro-poor schemes to India’s G-20 presidency to the country’s economic growth, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday lavished fulsome praise on the nation’s achievements saying, “When we celebrate the Republic Day, we celebrate what we have achieved, together, as a nation,” she said in her address to the nation.
“India has been transformed from a largely poor and illiterate nation into a confident nation marching on the world stage. This would not have been possible but for the collective wisdom of the Constitution-makers guiding our path. We have succeeded as a democratic republic because so many creeds and so many languages have not divided us, they have only united us. That is the essence of India,” she stressed.
Under India’s leadership, G20 will be able to further enhance its efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable world order, she said adding “The poor bear the brunt of global warming more than others. Developing and popularising alternative sources of energy is one of the solutions. India has taken a commendable lead in this direction by giving a policy push to solar energy and electric vehicles.”
The first tribal woman President of India also lauded the scheduled tribe communities. “Tribal communities have rich lessons to offer in many areas, ranging from protecting the environment to making the society more cohesive,” the President said in her address to the nation.
The President also called for the increasing use millets which she said is important for maintaining “good health and good environment”. “We need to modify our lifestyle if we want our children to live happily on this fragile planet. Mahatma Gandhi was a true prophet of our times, as he foresaw the calamities of indiscriminate industrialization and cautioned the world to mend its ways,” she said.
Speaking on India’s Mars Mission, she said it was powered by a team of extraordinary women, and our sisters and daughters are not far behind in other areas too. “Women’s empowerment and gender equality are no longer mere slogans,” she asserted.
President Murmu said, “We have reasons to be proud of our achievements in the domain of science and technology. The ‘Gaganyaan’ program is in progress to carry Indian astronauts into the space.” This will be India’s maiden human space flight.
Touching upon the education sector, she said that the new National Education Policy makes our civilisational lessons relevant for contemporary life, while also preparing the learner for the 21st century challenges.
By implementing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ announced in March 2020, the Government, she maintained, ensured food security for poor families at a time when the country was facing economic disruption in the wake of the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.
She also lauded the achievement of India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world. “It needs to be underlined that this achievement comes against the backdrop of high economic uncertainties around the world. This has been made possible by timely and pro-active interventions from the Government.”
“I commend the roles of farmers, workers, scientists and engineers whose combined strength enables our country to live up to the spirit of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”, the President emphasized even as she asked one and all not to let their guard down against Covid-19.
