On the eve of the 78th Independence Day, President of India, Droupadi Murmu remarked that she is delighted to see the nation prepare to celebrate the 78th Independence Day but also recalled the days when the nation was under a foreign rule. She paid tributes to the “Patriotic and brave souls took immense risks and made supreme sacrifices.”
She recalled the horrors of the nation’s partition in 1947 on the occasion of ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ and termed it an “unparalleled human tragedy”. She extended solidarity with the families of the millions who had to suffer forced migration and lakhs of people who lost their lives.
In the ceremonial speech, she said that as the nation celebrates the 75th year of the Constitution, it must remain firm on the Constitutional ideals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity, to reclaim its rightful position on the global stage.
In her speech, she also lauded the successful conduct of the General Election 2024 and thanked the Election Commission of India and all the officials and security personnel.
She highlighted that from 2021 to 2024, India has been among the fastest growing major economies and pointed out that all efforts are being made to alleviate those in poverty through schemes such as the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
President Murmu commended farmers of the nation for contributing immensely to making India self-reliant in agriculture and feed our people. She also pointed out improvements made in infrastructure and technology and remarked that these have made “India an even more attractive investment destination”.
“The steady progress of political democracy testifies to the progress made towards the consolidation of social democracy. The spirit of inclusion pervades every aspect of our social life,” the President stated. I firmly believe that in a vast country like ours, tendencies that stoke discord based upon perceived social hierarchies have to be rejected, she added.
Further, President Murmu commended the Government for giving equal importance to women’s welfare and women’s empowerment by tripling the budget allocation for the cause. The most heartening development on this front has been the significant improvement in the sex ratio at birth, she said.
The President stressed on climate change and urged citizens to make small but effective changes in your lifestyle and contribute to the cause of dealing with the challenge of climate change.
In adopting the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita from July this year, we have removed one more relic of the colonial era, Murmu stated, adding that the new code is oriented towards ensuring justice for the victims of crime instead of focusing on punishment alone.
Acknowledging the positive results of the National Education Policy 2020, the President highlighted the Government’s initiatives to facilitate skilling, employment and other opportunities for the youth of the country,
She celebrated the unprecedented advances made by India in space exploration and expressed that she eagerly looks forward to the launch of the Gaganyaan Mission next year which will take a team of Indian astronauts into space aboard India’s first human spaceflight.
Moreover, the President said that the Government has rightly prioritised the development of sports infrastructure, and it is showing results, mentioning the efforts of the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympic Games and the Indian cricket team for winning the T20 World Cup. Their achievements have inspired the next generation too, she remarked.
President Droupadi Murmu concluded her address by extending greetings to the citizens, brave jawans of Armed Forces, police and security personnel, members of the judiciary and the civil services and officials of the Indian missions posted across the world and the Indian diaspora.
