President Pranab Mukherjee has called for collective action by all stakeholders to restore the glory of democratic institutions. Mr Mukherjee said, democratic culture in the country is becoming vulnerable to rash excess. In his address to the nation on the eve of 68th Independence Day, Mr Mukherjee said, Parliament should again become the great hall of somber thought and well-debated legislation.
The President said, the economy will move on a high growth trajectory of seven to 8 per cent, as signs of revival are visible. He said, manufacturing sector is also on the rebound. Mr Mukherjee said, though inflation has started moderating, food prices still remain a matter of concern.
The President made a strong pitch for creative thinking in governance to fast track development and ensure social harmony. He said nation has to be placed above partisan impulses. He said, wider involvement of civil society in the political process and deeper engagement of the youth with the institutions of democracy is required for good governance. He said, it calls for quick dispensation of justice to the people and ethical and responsible behaviour from the media.
Mr. Mukherjee stressed on defending secular fabric of the country saying intolerance and violence are against the spirit of democracy. Mr Mukherjee said, economic and social progress is difficult without peace.
Referring to an increasingly turbulent international environment that has sparked off rising dangers in the South- Asian region and beyond, he said, India will feel its effects particularly as it rejects extremism in all its manifestations. Mr Mukherjee said, across parts of Asia and Africa, attempts are being made by radical, militias to redraw the maps of nations to create theocratic states.
Describing education as an essential part of development, Mr Mukherjee asked the educational institutions to provide quality education and inculcate tolerance for pluralism and respect for women, love for motherland, compassion for all.
Mr Mukherjee said, the focus of policies has to shift from alleviation of poverty to elimination of poverty. He said, though, poverty has declined to less than 30 per cent during the last 60 years, one third of country's population still lives below the poverty line.
Commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for making India a clean country by 2019 on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr Mukherjee said it can be achieved only if each Indian converts this into a national mission.
