The President has called for zero tolerance towards corruption and asked left wing extrmists to shun violence and join the national mainstream. Addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day, Mrs.Pratibha Devising Patil said that power has been given to those in the government to formulate policies and implement them. They should remember that power must be used in a responsible manner. She said zero tolerance towards corruption and working with highest standards of public service will result in efficient governance boosting development and growth. The President also called on the followers of Left wing extremism and proponents of extreme ideologies to abandon the path of violence and join the national effort for growth and development. She hoped that the civil society will come forward and move them in this direction. She said that protracted development efforts will be needed in these areas. The President said the nation building requires unity of purpose and spirit of conciliation. Dialogue should be chosen as a channel for communication. Pointing out that terrorism poses the biggest threat to world peace, stability and security, she said that all nations must work collectively to ensure that terrorists have no sactuaries, no training grounds, no access to financial resources, no infrastructural support and no defenders of their ideology. Mrs. Patil said violence and hatred can have no place in the world. She said , the interests that human beings are far more powerful than the divisive forces.Calling for a second green revolution, the President said that agriculture requires a fresh perspective with new and radical ideas. She said, this is essential for food security and price stabilisation. She, however, said that agriculture cannot be looked at in isolation and needs to be connected with other sectors of the economy. Mrs. Patil said that linking industries and agriculture will provide a basis for growth of industry in rural areas and promote agricultural business.Mrs. Patil said that efficient distribution networks that link farmers with consumers should be encouraged. She said that this will bring great remuneration to farmers for their produce while giving a price advantage to the consumers. She said that the support to the rural poor and farm labour through skilled development, vocational training and social welfare programmes must be a priority. The President said that India has adopted inclusive growth as the pillar of its economic edifice to ensure the welfare of all people. But our task will be complete only if no one sleeps with a hungry stomach or on a footpath and every child is in school. She called on the people to contribute in the government's endeavour to achieve this goal. On the economic front she said that the India is ranked the fourth largest economy and one of the fastest growing. She said that the resilience of the country's economy was evident during the global financial crisis which India was able to weather better than any other country. Mrs. Patil said that the future holds great potential and promises but there are many issues which demand attention and how these issues are addressed is important. The President said , the country is at a historic phase and it should not lag behind in this era of transformation. She called for economic progress, scientic advances and political approaches to be combined with values of human welfare, tolerance, mutual respect and selflessness. The President called on people to reflect on the values and principles through which India attained freedom. She said, it is these eternal values of harmony, non violence and truth that have sustained our nation and people should not forget them.
News On AIR | August 15, 2010 9:14 AM
President calls for zero tolerance towards corruption