New Delhi
Maintaining that climate change “merits urgent attention of scientists and policymakers all over the world”, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday called for “empathy for Mother Nature” and learning from the lessons offered by tribal communities for climate action.
“We have faced numerous extreme-weather events in recent years. Parts of India have faced extraordinary floods. At the same time, there are places facing drought. These events are also attributed to the phenomenon of global warming. Therefore, it is necessary to make efforts at the local, national and global levels for the environment.
“Extreme weather events affect all. But their impact is far more severe on the poor and the marginalised. Cities and hilly terrains especially need to be made more resilient. The larger point here is that the culture of greed takes the world away from nature. We now realise the dire need to return to our roots. I know that there are still many tribal communities who live very close to nature and in harmony with it. Their values and lifestyle offer invaluable lessons for climate action,” the President emphasised.
“The secret of the survival of the tribal communities through ages can be summarised in one word. That single word is ‘Empathy’. They have empathy for all Mother Nature’s fellow children, flora and fauna alike. Sometimes, however, the world seems to be suffering from a deficit of empathy. But history shows that such periods are only aberrations, and kindness is our fundamental nature. It is my experience that women have empathy in greater measure and they show the way when humanity goes astray,” President Murmu pointed out.
Maintaining that the world looks up to India for global economic growth, giving priority to the deprived remains the focus of our policies and actions that have lifted a large number of people out of poverty in the last decade. “Similarly, there are specific programmes to improve the conditions of tribals and encourage them to join the journey of progress. I appeal to our tribal brothers and sisters to enrich their traditions while embracing modernity,” she noted.
“I am happy to note that along with economic growth, human-development-concerns have also been accorded high priority. Having been a teacher also, I have realised that education is the greatest tool of social empowerment. The National Education Policy of 2020 has started making a difference,” she said outlining the importance of education.
Stressing that what we celebrate on Independence Day is the fact that we are part of a great democracy, President Murmu said, each of us has many identities, apart from caste, creed, language and region, we are also identified with our families and professions, but there is one identity that is above all — that is our identity as citizens of India. “Each one of us is an equal citizen; each one of us has an equal opportunity, equal rights and equal duties, in this land,” she outlined.
India’s first tribal woman President also recalled her childhood. “Independence Day celebrations also remind me of my childhood days. We could not contain our excitement of participating in the Independence Day celebrations in our village school. When the tricolour was hoisted, we felt an electrifying energy pass through us. With our hearts full of patriotic pride, we saluted the national flag and sang the national anthem. Sweets were distributed and patriotic songs were sung, which kept playing in our minds for many days. I was fortunate in having an opportunity to re-live these experiences when I became a school teacher,” she said.
“On the eve of Independence Day, I join my fellow citizens in paying grateful tribute to the known and unknown freedom fighters whose sacrifices have made it possible for India to regain its rightful place in the comity of nations. Great women freedom fighters like Matangini Hazra and Kanaklata Baruah laid down their lives for Bharat-Mata. Maa Kasturba matched the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, every step of the way on the difficult path of Satyagraha.
“Many great women leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Ammu Swaminathan, Rama Devi, Aruna Asaf-Ali and Sucheta Kriplani had set inspiring ideals for all future generations of women, to serve the nation and the society with self-confidence,” she said.
During my visits and interactions with the members of the Indian diaspora, I have observed a new confidence in the India story. India is playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world. It has also assumed leadership of international forums, especially the presidency of G-20.
