President Pranab Mukherjee has asserted that India's patience has limits and all steps will be taken to ensure internal security and protect territorial integrity.
In his address to the Nation on the eve of Independence Day this evening, Mr. Mukherjee without mentioning Pakistan exhorted despite India's consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there has been tension on border and repeated violations of ceasefire on the LoC. This he said has led to tragic loss of lives.
Mr. Mukherjee said there are grave challenges to India's security both internal and external . The barbaric phase of maoists violence has also led to lost of many innocent lives. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said all steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the Nation will be taken. He lauded the courage and heroism of the security and armed forces to maintain eternal vigilance. He paid homage to those who laid down their lives in the service of the Mother land.
The President called for maintaining a balance between man and nature. He cautioned the imbalance can prove disasterous. Paying tributes to those who lost their lives in Uttarakhand tragedy, he said armed forces, government and NGOs played a commendable role to alleviate the miseries of the affected people.
The President described corruption as a major challenge and called for correcting this regression. He said precious resources of the Nation are being wasted through indolence and indifference and it is sapping the dynamism of the society.
Referring to forthcoming general elections, he said it provides an opportunity to elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development. Mr. Pranab Mukhejee said every election must become a crucial mile stone in the Nation's journey towards social harmony ,peace and prosperity. He said democracy has provided an opportunity to recreate another golden age and the journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination. Stressing the need to work across the board for revival of the values and institutions, Mr. Mukherjee said it is high time that the people realise that rights go with responsibilities.
Talking about Mahatma Gandhi's promise of self-rule based on tolerance and self-restraint and the promise of freedom from want and deprivation, Mukherjee said, “for nearly seven decades now India has been masters of its destiny and this is the time the people of the country should ask themselves is India heading in the right direction.
The President noted, favourable demographic change requires industrial transformation and rapid creation of employment opportunities. He added it also requires an orderly urbanisation process. Several initiatives have been taken in the recent past by the Government for the renewal of urban infrastructure and ambitious skill training programme and called for their close monitoring in the coming years.
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said citizen entitlements backed by legal guarantees have to be put in action so they lead to real empowerment of people. For this robust delivery mechanisms are needed. New benchmarks of efficient public delivery and accountability have to be established, said Mr. Mukherjee. He said direct benefits transfer scheme launched this year will bring in greater transparency, enhance efficiencies , and eliminate wastage of precious resources.
The President in his 67th address highlighted the importance of redistribution that sustains growth. He said India has to learn to cope better with adversities both external and domestic on the economic front and higher growth rate is paramount for development.
Among other issues that are highlighted in the President's speech include building a modern democracy and the leadership that inspires confidence among people to surmount challenges before the Nation. The President concluded his speech by a quote from Bhagwat Geeta ” YATHA ICCHASI TATHA KURU”
