Hails EC for conducting safe polls in Bihar, J&K, Ladakh amid pandemic
New Delhi, Jan 25: In an oblique reference to China over the border standoff in Ladakh, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said India faced ‘an expansionist move’ on its borders, but the country’s valiant soldiers foiled it.
‘The past year was a time of adversity, and it came from many fronts. We faced an expansionist move on our borders but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives,’ the President said in his address to the nation on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day.
He was indirectly referring to the Galwan valley incident.
‘The nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers. Though we reiterate our commitment to peace, our defence forces – Army, Air Force and Navy – are adequately mobilized in a well-coordinated move to thwart any attempt to undermine our security. Our national interest will be protected at all costs. We have also ensured a widespread understanding in the international community of India’s firm and principled stand,’ the President said.
He said India is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world. ‘During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part of the world. The manner in which India got the overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as a non-permanent member in the Security Council this year is indicative of that influence,’ the President said.
‘The quality of our engagement with leaders across the world has enhanced manifold. India with its vibrant democracy has rightfully earned its respect as a responsible and trustworthy nation,’ he added.
Hails EC for conducting safe polls in Bihar, J&K, Ladakh amid pandemic
Praising the Election Commission of India for conducting successful and safe elections in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh last year during the Covid-19 pandemic.
President Kovind said it is an extraordinary achievement of the country’s democracy.
Kovind, who virtually graced and addressed the 11th National Voters’ Day celebrations, being organised by the Election Commission of India, said the chief architect of the Indian Constitution Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, considered the right to vote as paramount.
‘Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us, especially our youth, who get the right to vote for the first time, to exercise their franchise with the utmost sincerity and inspire others too to do so,’ the President said.
On the occasion, the President said on the National Voters’ Day, he would like to remind that ‘we should always respect the valuable right to vote. The right to vote is not a simple right; people around the world have struggled a lot for this. Since independence, our Constitution has given equal voting rights to all citizens without any discrimination on the basis of merit, religion, race, caste. For this, we are indebted to the makers of our Constitution’.
During the event, the President conferred the National Awards for the year 2020-21 and also launched the Election Commission of India’s Web Radio: ‘Hello Voters’ – an online digital radio service.
Dedicated to the voters of the country, the day is utilised to spread awareness among voters and for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.
