Address by the President of India on the eve of the Republic Day of India 2016
Address by the President of India on the eve of the
Republic Day of India 2016
My Fellow Citizens:
1. On
the eve of the sixty-seventh Republic Day of our nation, I extend my warm
greetings to all of you in India and abroad. I convey my special greetings to
members of our Armed Forces, Para-military Forces and Internal Security Forces.
I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice of their
lives in defending India’s territorial integrity and in upholding the rule of
law.
Fellow
Citizens:
2. On
twenty-sixth January 1950, our Republic was born. On this day, we gave ourselves
the Constitution of India. This day saw the culmination of heroic struggle of
an extraordinary generation of leaders who overcame colonialism to establish
the world’s largest democracy. They pulled together India’s amazing diversity
to build national unity, which has brought us so far. The enduring democratic
institutions they established have
given us the gift of continuity on the path of progress. India today is a
rising power, a country fast emerging as a global leader in science,
technology, innovation and start-ups, and whose economic success is the envy of
the world.
Fellow
Citizens:
3. The
year 2015 has been a year of challenges. During this year, the global economy
remained subdued. Unpredictability ruled the commodity markets. Uncertainty
marked the institutional responses. In such troubled environment, no one nation
could be an oasis of growth. India’s economy also had to face the blowback.
Weak investor sentiments led to withdrawal of funds from emerging markets
including India putting pressure on the Indian rupee. Our exports suffered. Our
manufacturing sector is yet to recover fully.
4. In
2015, we were also denied the bounty of nature. While large parts of India were
affected by severe drought, other areas reeled under devastating floods.
Unusual weather conditions impacted our agricultural production. Rural
employment and income levels suffered.
Fellow Citizens:
5. We
can call out these challenges because we are aware of them. There is a great
virtue in acknowledging a problem and resolving to address it. India is
building and implementing strategies to solve these problems. This year, with
an estimated growth rate of 7.3 percent, India is poised to become the fastest
growing large economy. Contraction in global oil prices has helped maintain
external sector stability and control domestic prices. Despite occasional
setbacks, industrial performance this year has been strong.
6. Aadhaar,
with its present reach of 96 crore people, is helping in direct transfer of
benefits, plugging leakages and improving transparency. Over 19 crore bank
accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is
the single largest exercise in the world at financial inclusion. The Saansad
Adarsh Gram Yojana aims to create model villages. The Digital
Indiaprogramme is an effort to bridge the digital divide. The Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana targets farmer’s welfare. Increased spending
on programmes like MGNREGA is aimed at enhancing employment generation to
rejuvenate the rural economy.
7. The Make-in-India campaign
will boost manufacturing by facilitating easy conduct of business and improving
competitiveness of domestic industry. The Start-up India programme
will foster innovation and encourage new-age entrepreneurship. The National
Skill Development Mission envisages skilling 300 million youth by 2022.
8. There
will be, amongst us, occasional doubters and baiters. Let us continue to
complain; to demand; to rebel. This too is a virtue of democracy. But let us
also applaud what our democracy has achieved. With investments in
infrastructure, manufacturing, health, education, science and technology, we
are positioning ourselves well for achieving a higher growth rate which will in
the next ten to fifteen years help us eliminate poverty.
Fellow
Citizens:
9. Reverence
for the past is one of the essential ingredients of nationalism. Our finest
inheritance, the institutions of democracy, ensure to all citizens justice,
equality, and gender and economic equity. When grim instances of violence hit
at these established values which are at the core of our nationhood, it is time
to take note. We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence,
intolerance and unreason.
Fellow
Citizens:
10. For
revitalizing the forces of growth, we need reforms and progressive legislation.
It is the bounden duty of the law makers to ensure that such legislation is
enacted after due discussion and debate. A spirit of accommodation, cooperation
and consensus-building should be the preferred mode of decision-making. Delays
in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development.
Fellow
Citizens:
11. Peace
is the primary objective of a rational consciousness as well as our moral
universe. It is the foundation of civilization and a necessity for economic
progress. And yet, we have never been able to answer a simple question: why
does peace remain so elusive? Why has peace been so much more difficult to
attain than degenerate conflict?
12. As
the twentieth century closed down with a remarkable revolution in science and
technology, we had some reason for optimism that the twenty-first century would
mark an era in which the energies of people and nations would be committed to a
rising prosperity that would eliminate, for the first time, the curse of
extreme poverty. That optimism has faded in the first fifteen years of this
century. There is unprecedented turbulence across vast regions, with alarming
increase in regional instabilities. The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war
into its most barbaric manifestation. No corner can now consider itself safe
from this savage monster.
13. Terrorism
is inspired by insane objectives, motivated by bottomless depths of hatred,
instigated by puppeteers who have invested heavily in havoc through the mass
murder of innocents. This is war beyond any doctrine, a cancer which must be
operated out with a firm scalpel. There is no good or bad terrorism; it is pure
evil.
Fellow
Citizens:
14. Nations
will never agree on everything; but the challenge today is existential.
Terrorists seek to undermine order by rejecting the very basis of strategic
stability, which are recognized borders. If outlaws are able to unravel
borders, then we are heading towards an age of chaos. There will be disputes
among nations; and, as is well-known, the closer we are to a neighbour the
higher the propensity for disputes. There is a civilized way to bridge
disagreement; dialogue, ideally, should be a continual engagement. But we
cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets.
15. We
on our subcontinent have a historic opportunity to become a beacon to the world
at a time of great danger. We must attempt to resolve the complex edges of our
emotional and geo-political inheritance with our neighbours through a peaceful
dialogue, and invest in mutual prosperity by recognizing that human beings are
best defined by a humane spirit, and not their worst instincts. Our example can
be its own message to a world in anxious need of amity.
Fellow Citizens:
16. Each
of us has the right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life in India. This
right has been breached, especially in our cities, where pollution has reached
alarming levels. Climate change has acquired real meaning with 2015 turning out
to be the warmest year on record. Multiple strategies and actions at various
levels is necessary. Innovative solutions of urban planning, use of clean
energy, and changing the mindsets of the people call for active participation
of all stakeholders. Permanence of such changes can be ensured only if people
own these changes.
Fellow Citizens:
17. Love
for one’s motherland is the basis of all progress. Education, with its
enlightening effect, leads to human progress and prosperity. It helps us
develop forces of spirit which can revive lost hopes and ignored values. Dr.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had said and I quote: “End-product of education
should be a free creative man who can battle against historical circumstances
and adversities of nature” (unquote). The advent of the “Fourth Industrial
Revolution” demands that this free and creative man should also be able to
master the velocity of change to absorb disruptions which are getting embedded
in the systems and societies. An eco-system that fosters critical thinking and
makes teaching intellectually stimulating is necessary. It must inspire
scholarship and encourage unfettered respect for knowledge and teachers. It
must instill a spirit of reverence towards women that will guide social conduct
of an individual throughout his life. It must breed a culture of deep thought
and create an environment of contemplation and inner peace. Through an
open-minded approach to the wider spectrum of ideas emanating from within, our
academic institutions must become world-class. A beginning has already been
made with two Indian institutes of higher education finding place in the top
two hundred in international rankings.
Fellow
Citizens:
18. The
generational change has happened. Youth have moved centre-stage to take charge.
March ahead with Tagore’s words fromNutan Yuger Bhore:
“CHOLAAY CHOLAAY BAAJBEY JOYER BHEREE –
PAAYER BEGEYI POTH KETEY JAAY, KORISH NEY AAR DERI”
Move ahead, the roll of drums announce your
triumphal march;
With feet of glory, you shall cut out your own
path;
Delay not, delay not, a new age dawns.
Thank you.
Jai Hind!
****
Voter’s participation in the electoral process is
integral to the successful running of any democracy, says President
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee
attended the 6th National Voters’ Day Celebrations today (January 25, 2016) in
New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said the National Voters’ Day signifies a mutual obligation. It is indeed the duty of the Election Commission of India to ensure that all eligible voters are included on the rolls. It is an onerous and continuous task. But it is equally the responsibility of citizens to enroll themselves as voters. Voter’s participation in the electoral process is integral to the successful running of any democracy. The level of voters’ participation reflects the people’s level of confidence and trust in democracy.
The President said that today is also the 67th foundation day of the Election Commission of India. This constitutional body came into existence on January 25, 1950 just a day before the celebration of the first Republic Day. It is a significant metaphor indicating that we received the Indian Republic with the mandate of the people.
The President said that elections are a festival of democracy. They are not merely a gigantic administrative exercise. He was happy that the Election Commission is using innovative ways to reach out to the people, particularly our youth. Though the rise of Social Media and internet has raised awareness in our youth, but we still have to pay special attention to those outside the ambit of these digital opportunities. Article 326 of the Constitution had fixed the minimum qualifying age of voting at 21 years. But, there were persistent demands that the voting age should be lower. Finally, the Constitution (Sixty-First) Amendment Act, lowered the minimum qualifying age to 18 years. In the 10th General Elections to Lok Sabha in November, 1989, an estimated 35.7 million voters between the age group of 18 to 21 years participated and exercised their electoral right. And, ahead of the 16th General Elections in 2014, there were 23.16 million voters between the age group 18 to 19 years alone. In fact, they constituted 2.8 percent of the national electorate.
The President said that the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation - SVEEP, was borne out of IEC initiatives taken up by ECI after the Lok Sabha elections in 2009. He said that he was happy to note that today, the Voter Education programme of the Commission is spread out across the polling stations with an attempt to reach each and every citizen of the country, keeping in mind that those who are not yet eligible to be electors, are the prospective electors.
The President said that the abuse of money and muscle power to influence voters remains a cause of concern. The spirit of democracy will be subverted if these malpractices are not checked. It is commendable that the Election Commission has taken up initiatives to promote ethical and informed voting. To expand its reach and facilitate eligible voters the Election Commission launched National Voter Service Portal (NVSP) which provides a host of services like online registration, searching names on voter lists, locating polling stations and other related assistance.
The President said that India is today the world’s largest functional democracy. When a newly independent India made Universal Adult Suffrage the basis of elections not all were convinced of our capability to implement it. However, the successful manner in which the very first elections were conducted put these speculations to rest. Since then, over the years, the Election Commission has been conducting elections successfully and improving on deficiencies to increase participation in elections. He congratulated the Election Commission for making innovative changes. He also applauded the Commission for it’s new initiative of celebrating the voter with “Matdata Mahotsav” which was held recently in New Delhi ahead of the National Voters’ Day. He concluded by saying that he was happy to recognize not only those higher up in the election machinery but also those who worked on the ground level for their contribution to cause of electoral participation. He also congratulated the newly enrolled electors to whom he gave away Elector Photo Identity Cards. He expressed confidence that they would exercise their rights with great care, without fear or favour.
On the occasion, the President also received the first copy of the book ‘Belief in the Ballot’. This book is brought out by the Election Commission of India and published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said the National Voters’ Day signifies a mutual obligation. It is indeed the duty of the Election Commission of India to ensure that all eligible voters are included on the rolls. It is an onerous and continuous task. But it is equally the responsibility of citizens to enroll themselves as voters. Voter’s participation in the electoral process is integral to the successful running of any democracy. The level of voters’ participation reflects the people’s level of confidence and trust in democracy.
The President said that today is also the 67th foundation day of the Election Commission of India. This constitutional body came into existence on January 25, 1950 just a day before the celebration of the first Republic Day. It is a significant metaphor indicating that we received the Indian Republic with the mandate of the people.
The President said that elections are a festival of democracy. They are not merely a gigantic administrative exercise. He was happy that the Election Commission is using innovative ways to reach out to the people, particularly our youth. Though the rise of Social Media and internet has raised awareness in our youth, but we still have to pay special attention to those outside the ambit of these digital opportunities. Article 326 of the Constitution had fixed the minimum qualifying age of voting at 21 years. But, there were persistent demands that the voting age should be lower. Finally, the Constitution (Sixty-First) Amendment Act, lowered the minimum qualifying age to 18 years. In the 10th General Elections to Lok Sabha in November, 1989, an estimated 35.7 million voters between the age group of 18 to 21 years participated and exercised their electoral right. And, ahead of the 16th General Elections in 2014, there were 23.16 million voters between the age group 18 to 19 years alone. In fact, they constituted 2.8 percent of the national electorate.
The President said that the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation - SVEEP, was borne out of IEC initiatives taken up by ECI after the Lok Sabha elections in 2009. He said that he was happy to note that today, the Voter Education programme of the Commission is spread out across the polling stations with an attempt to reach each and every citizen of the country, keeping in mind that those who are not yet eligible to be electors, are the prospective electors.
The President said that the abuse of money and muscle power to influence voters remains a cause of concern. The spirit of democracy will be subverted if these malpractices are not checked. It is commendable that the Election Commission has taken up initiatives to promote ethical and informed voting. To expand its reach and facilitate eligible voters the Election Commission launched National Voter Service Portal (NVSP) which provides a host of services like online registration, searching names on voter lists, locating polling stations and other related assistance.
The President said that India is today the world’s largest functional democracy. When a newly independent India made Universal Adult Suffrage the basis of elections not all were convinced of our capability to implement it. However, the successful manner in which the very first elections were conducted put these speculations to rest. Since then, over the years, the Election Commission has been conducting elections successfully and improving on deficiencies to increase participation in elections. He congratulated the Election Commission for making innovative changes. He also applauded the Commission for it’s new initiative of celebrating the voter with “Matdata Mahotsav” which was held recently in New Delhi ahead of the National Voters’ Day. He concluded by saying that he was happy to recognize not only those higher up in the election machinery but also those who worked on the ground level for their contribution to cause of electoral participation. He also congratulated the newly enrolled electors to whom he gave away Elector Photo Identity Cards. He expressed confidence that they would exercise their rights with great care, without fear or favour.
On the occasion, the President also received the first copy of the book ‘Belief in the Ballot’. This book is brought out by the Election Commission of India and published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
***
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