Mail News Service
New Delhi, Jan 25: The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, addressed the Nation on the eve of the 63rd Republic Day. Following is the text of the President’s address on the occasion:
On the eve of our 63rd Republic Day, I convey my warmest greetings to all of you across the country, from every walk of life and in different parts of the world. I convey my special greetings to the Armed Forces and the Para-Military Forces who guard our frontiers with great vigil and valour, in high mountainous terrains, deserts and the plains, on the coasts and the seas. I also convey my best wishes to our internal security forces and to our civil services. I compliment all citizens for their contribution to the process of nation-building.
We are living in a world that is complex and challenging. Forces of globalization have created an interlinked and interdependent world. No country exists in isolation; it is continuously being influenced by external developments. All nations, developed and developing, are facing the impact of global economic instability, as well as problems of unemployment and inflation, in varying degrees. Indeed, the 21st Century has brought in its trail a host of issues at a breath-taking pace. There are growing aspirations of the people, coupled with their expectations of immediate solutions. We are observing, an information explosion and ever-newer technological inventions. These have altered lifestyles and there is also a growing quest for materialism. There are persistent questions about how growth and resources will be shared in a more equitable manner. There are worries about the direction in which the human community is heading in this age of globalization, knowledge and technology.
For us in India, the discourse is about how an ancient civilization and a young nation, will move ahead to take India to its destiny. Our vision and our goals are clear. We look at building our country, as one whose economy demonstrates a robustness to grow, so that we can become a developed nation. For us, however, economic prosperity alone is not enough. We look towards an India, where there is equity and justice. We look at democracy, rule of law and human values, as being essential for making our country strong. We want a scientific and technological outlook in our people. We also look towards India as a country which will continue to bring moral force on to the global stage. I believe that there is a unity behind this vision of India. But, yet, sometimes one gets distracted by discordant pulls and pressures. How should we proceed to build our nation and its people? I believe that the answer lies in our age old values; the ideals of our freedom movement; the principles of our Constitution, as also in our unity, a positive attitude and our aspiration to grow.
It is often said, but not fully realized, that we are very fortunate to have a rich legacy of values, traditions and teachings. The ageless spirit of India, the eternal voice of India, has been resonating through millennia. What are those intrinsic qualities which have seen India prosper through centuries and eras? What is the message that should light our path, as we chart our future course? Our civilizational ethos contains the lessons of duty and truth. It tells us to be humane in all our thoughts and deeds. It highlights the qualities of compassion, care and of respect for others. It teaches that human beings and nature must exist in harmony with each other. All issues should be viewed in the context of humanity as a whole. This philosophy has given succeeding generations the inherent strength to grow, embracing in their fold a vast diversity of cultures, languages, religions and communities. So, when the question is asked, as to what ideals should be placed before the new generation, to take the country forward, should then there be any dithering or doubt in a country like India? As the inheritors of thousands of years of history and culture, we should follow the high ideals of our age-old civilization. More particularly, the youth should understand this, as they are the architects of the future as well. Our past becomes the essential guide for the future as well. In this context, I recall the lines of Gurudev Tagore, “Every great people holds its history so valuable because… it contains not mere memories, but hope, and therefore the image of the future.” The past of India has been glorious and so must be its future.
We can also draw inspiration from our independence movement. It was a unique struggle, as it involved non-violent methods and required extraordinary mass discipline, steadfastness and patience. We followed this course, under the leadership of Gandhiji, because we had faith in ourselves and in our strength. Surely, we can demonstrate the same discipline in nation building. But, how do we do this? It is, only when we resolve to make the goal of nation building more important, than anything else and, show strong belief in it. It is then that courage, confidence and determination, shall be our companions in this task, which has to be carefully piloted in a constitutionally acceptable order.
Governor Gurbhachan Jagat said, “I have great pleasure in greeting the people of Manipur on the occasion of the 63rd Republic Day of our country.
It was on 26th January, 1950, that we, the people of India, became a Sovereign, Secular and Democratic Republic and since then the Nation has been celebrating our Republic Day every year.’ The Day gave us a Constitution to shape our own destiny. In fact, the
Constitution of India has served as a beacon for our young democracy to establish the rule of law and assert the supremacy of the people. Indian democracy has stood the trials and tests of time and the supremacy of the people’s will has been demonstrated time and again through the ballot in successive elections. Today, we stand taller in the eyes of all democracy loving people of the world and our prestige is on the rise globally.
On this occasion of the Republic Day, we, as citizens of a democratic country, should reaffirm our resolve to take the added responsibility and bounden duty to make our country stronger and more prosperous.
Major General UK Gurung, YSM, IGAR (South) and All Ranks of Assam Rifles extend very warm greetings and sincere goodwill to all the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day.
To commemorate the 63rd Republic Day, we all take a resolve to weed out the inimical elements of the society and forge towards the path of unity, peace and prosperity. May the lord almighty bless us all with joy and happiness and guide us in our endeavors towards building a strong and prosperous nation.
Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen, VSM, General Officer Commanding, 57 Mountain Division and all ranks of the division extends their warm greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of the 63rd Republic Day. On this occasion, we should resolve to contribute our best in our individual capacities for the betterment and prosperity of the state. “May this resolve usher into the State a new near of peace, prosperity and happiness and may God bless all the citizens of Manipur, said the GOC.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/presidents-republic-day-messages/
