>>Modi Govt took initiatives for welfare of marginalised
>> India set to be among top 3 world economies
New Delhi, Aug 1: Addressing the nation on the eve of the 78th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday that on August 14, people must remember the horrors brought by the Partition of the country in 1947.
“Today, on August 14, the country is observing Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. It is a day to remember the horrors of Partition. When our great nation was divided, millions of people were forced to migrate. Lakhs of people lost their lives,” the President said.
A day before celebrating Independence Day, “we remember that unprecedented human tragedy and stand in solidarity with the families that were torn apart”, she said.
The President added that India is also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Constitution.
“The journey of our newly Independent nation faced serious hurdles. Remaining firm on the constitutional ideals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity, we are moving ahead with the mission to ensure that India regains its proud place on the world stage,” the President said.
She added that by adopting the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in July this year, India has removed one more relic of the colonial era.
“The new code is oriented towards ensuring justice for the victims of crime instead of focusing on punishment alone. I see this change as a tribute to our freedom fighters,” President Murmu said.
She also highlighted the interlinks between the dreams of our freedom fighters and the aspirations of future generations who will see India regain its full glory in the years to come.
“India is proud to be at the forefront of humankind’s battle to save the planet from the worst effects of global warming. I also urge you all to make small but effective changes in your lifestyle and contribute to the cause of dealing with the challenges of climate change,” the President said.
She added that a variety of special government schemes have also been designed to keep women at the forefront. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is aimed at ensuring the real empowerment of women.
The Prime Minister’s package of five schemes for employment and skilling will benefit 4.1 crore youth over five years, she said.
“Under a new initiative of the government, one crore youth will be doing internships in leading companies over five years. All these will be foundational contributions towards building a Viksit Bharat,” the President said.
In her Independence Day eve address to the nation, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday that social justice is a top priority of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has taken a number of unprecedented initiatives for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalised sections of the society.
“The Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan, i.e., PM-SURAJ, aims to provide direct financial assistance to the people from the marginalised communities. The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan or PM-JANMAN has taken the form of a mass campaign for critical interventions to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs),” she said.
“The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem or the NAMASTE scheme will ensure that no sanitation worker manually engages in the hazardous task of sewer and septic tank cleaning,” the President said.
Stating that political democracy cannot last without social democracy, the President said, “We must remember the words of B.R. Ambedkar who had rightly said, and I quote, ‘We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.’ The steady progress of political democracy testifies to the progress made towards the consolidation of social democracy.”
She also said the spirit of inclusion pervades every aspect of our social life.
“We move together as a cohesive nation with our diversity and plurality. Affirmative action must be strengthened as an instrument of inclusion. I firmly believe that in a vast country like ours, tendencies that stoke discord based upon perceived social hierarchies have to be rejected,” the President said.
She added that the term ‘justice’, taken in the broadest possible sense, includes a variety of social factors.
“I would like to stress two of them in particular — gender justice and climate justice,” she said.
The President also said that in Indian society, women are considered not only equal, but even more than equal. However, they have also suffered from traditional prejudices, she added.
“I am glad to note that the government has given equal importance to women’s welfare and empowerment. The Budget allocation for this purpose has more than tripled in the last decade. Their participation in the labour force has increased,” the President said.
She added that the most heartening development on this front has been the significant improvement in sex ratio at birth.
“A variety of special government schemes have also been designed keeping the women at the centre. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is aimed at ensuring real empowerment of women,” President Murmu said.
President Droupadi Murmu said that India is among the fastest-growing major economies, adding it was a matter of pride for everyone that the country has become the fifth-largest economy in the world, and is set to be among the top 3 global economic powers soon.
“India is among the fastest-growing major economies, achieving an average annual growth rate of 8 per cent between 2021 and 2024. This has not only put more money in the hands of the countrymen but has also drastically reduced the number of people living below the poverty line,” the President said in her address to the nation ahead of the 78th Independence Day.
“We are set to soon be among the top three economies in the world. This success has been possible only due to the tireless hard work of farmers and workers, the far-sightedness of policymakers and entrepreneurs and the visionary leadership of the country,” the President said.
While giving credit to the farmers for the country’s economic progress, the President said that the country’s food providers have ensured better agricultural production than expected and they have made an invaluable contribution in making India self-reliant in the agricultural sector and providing food to the countrymen.
President Murmu further said that she is happy to see that all the countrymen are preparing to celebrate the 78th Independence Day.
“Seeing the Tricolour fluttering on the occasion of Independence Day – whether it is at the Red Fort, in the state capitals or around us – fills our hearts with enthusiasm,” the President said.
She said that just as India celebrates various festivals with families in the same way, people should also celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day with their family members.
“We have started celebrating the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda as Tribal Pride Day. The celebration of his 150th birth anniversary next year will be an opportunity to honour his contribution to the national renaissance in a more profound way,” the President said.
She added that after successfully holding the presidency of the G20, India has strengthened its role as a vocal voice of the Global South.
“India wants to use its influential position to promote world peace and prosperity,” the President said.
She said that India is proud to play a leading role in the struggle of the human community to save the Earth from the ill effects of global warming.
“I urge all of you to make small but effective changes in your lifestyle and make your significant contribution to meeting the challenge of climate change,” the President said.
