[the_ad_placement id=”adsense-in-feed”]
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind saluted the martyrs of Galwan Valley and said that their bravery in combat demonstrated that “while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression”.
In his address to the nation on the eve of India’s 74th Independence Day on Friday, the President said the nation was proud of the members of the Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel “who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security”.
“The world now realizes what our sages had said long ago: the global community is but one family; ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’. However, even while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. Those worthy sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for national pride,” he added.
[the_ad_placement id=”content-placement-after-3rd-paragraph”]
Pointing out that the celebrations of Independence Day this year would be “rather restrained as the whole world confronts a deadly virus which has disrupted all activities and taken a huge toll”, he said it had “altered the world we lived in” before the pandemic.
“We have learnt some tough lessons in the year 2020,” he said. These lessons, according to him were:
- The invisible virus has demolished the illusion that human being is the master of nature. It is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature. The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny. In my view, ‘human-centric collaboration’ is more important than ‘economy-centric inclusion’, in the present context. The greater this change, the better it will be for the humanity. The twenty-first century should be remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet.
- We are all equal before Mother Nature and we primarily depend on our fellow residents for survival and growth. Coronavirus does not recognize any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers. Compassion and mutual help have been adopted as basic values by the people in India. We need to further strengthen this virtue in our conduct. Only then can we create a better future for all of us.
- The third lesson is about augmenting health infrastructure. Public hospitals and laboratories have been leading the fight against COVID-19. Public health services have helped the poor cope with the pandemic. In view of this, public health infrastructure needs to be expanded and strengthened.
- The fourth lesson relates to science and technology. The pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate developments in science and technology. During the lockdown and subsequent unlocking, information and communication technology has emerged as an effective tool for governance, education, business, office work and social connect. It has helped meet the twin objectives of saving lives and resumption of activities.
The President said these lessons will prove useful to humanity. “The younger generation has learnt the lessons well, and I believe that the future of India is safe in their hands. These are difficult times for all of us, more so for our youth. The closure of our educational institutions would have caused anxiety among our girls and boys, casting a shadow over their dreams and aspirations for the time being. However, I would like them to remember that these difficult times won’t last and they should not give up working for their dreams. The past is full of inspiring examples of exciting reconstruction of societies, economies and countries after such devastations. I am sure that our country and youth have a bright future.”
Kovind said in the fight against COVID-19, life and livelihood, both were essential. “We have looked at the current crisis as an opportunity to initiate reforms to revitalise the economy for the benefit of all, specially farmers and small entrepreneurs. Landmark reforms have been introduced in agriculture sector. Now, farmers can have barrier-free trade and get the best price for their produce anywhere in the country. The Essential Commodities Act has been amended to remove certain regulatory restrictions on farmers. This will help raise farmers’ income,” he said.
The President praised the Corona Warriors and said the nation was indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who had been continuously on the forefront of the fight against the virus. “Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes…These doctors, health workers, members of Disaster Management Teams, police personnel, sanitation workers, delivery staff, transportation, railway and aviation personnel, providers of various services, government employees, social service organisations and generous citizens have been scripting inspiring stories of courage and selfless service,” he said. He added:”When cities and towns go quiet and roads are deserted, they work tirelessly to ensure that people are not deprived of health care and relief, water and electricity, transport and communication facilities, milk and vegetables, food and groceries, medicine and other essentials. They risk their own lives to save our life and livelihood.”
Kovind highlighted the plight of the poor and daily wage-earners who are the worst hit by the pandemic and referred to the “largest free food distribution programme in the world” which he pointed out had now been extended till the end of November 2020 “to provide succour to about 80 crore people every month”. He also referred to the One Nation-One Ratio Card scheme of the government that ensured that migratory ration card holders got ration anywhere in the country.
The President also mentioned about the Ram Temple in Ayodhya: “Only ten days ago, construction of the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi began, in Ayodhya. It was indeed a moment of pride for all. People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system,” he said. He pointed out that the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process, and all concerned parties and the people had “respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony.”
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi in his speech, Kovind said, “We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi became the guiding light of our freedom movement. As much a saint as a political leader, he was a phenomenon that could have happened only in India. Troubled by social strife, economic problems, and climate change, the world seeks relief in Gandhiji’s teachings. His quest for equality and justice is the mantra for our Republic. I am glad to see the younger generations re-discover Gandhiji.”
– globalbihari bureau
[the_ad_placement id=”sidebar-feed”]
