Pranab Mukherjee
In his address to the nation on the
eve of 67th Independence Day,
President Pranab Mukherjee expressed
serious concern over the way Parliament
and legislatures function and said
corruption has become a major challenge.
Noting the "widespread cynicism
and disillusionment" with governance and
and disillusionment" with governance and
functioning of institutions, the President
said elections next year is an opportunity
to elect a stable government that will ensure
security and economic development.
security and economic development.
Following is the text of the President
of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s
of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s
address to the Nation on the eve
of the 67th Independence Day:
“Fellow citizens:
1. On the eve of the 66th anniversary
of our Independence, I extend warm greetings to you and to all Indians around
the world.
the world.
2. My thoughts turn first towards the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi,
who shaped our liberation struggle and the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice
for the freedom of our country and great patriots whose relentless struggle
liberated our motherland from the colonial rule of nearly two hundred years.
Gandhiji sought freedom from both foreign rule as well as the indigenous
social chains that had imprisoned our society for long. He launched every
Indian on a path of self-belief and hope for a better future. Gandhiji promised
Swaraj- self-rule based on tolerance and self-restraint. He promised
freedom from want and deprivation. For nearly seven decades now we
have been masters of our destiny. This is then the moment to ask: are
we heading in the right direction? Gandhiji's vision cannot be turned into
reality if we spurn the very values that were compulsory to his cause:
sincerity of effort, honesty of purpose and sacrifice for the larger good.
who shaped our liberation struggle and the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice
for the freedom of our country and great patriots whose relentless struggle
liberated our motherland from the colonial rule of nearly two hundred years.
Gandhiji sought freedom from both foreign rule as well as the indigenous
social chains that had imprisoned our society for long. He launched every
Indian on a path of self-belief and hope for a better future. Gandhiji promised
Swaraj- self-rule based on tolerance and self-restraint. He promised
freedom from want and deprivation. For nearly seven decades now we
have been masters of our destiny. This is then the moment to ask: are
we heading in the right direction? Gandhiji's vision cannot be turned into
reality if we spurn the very values that were compulsory to his cause:
sincerity of effort, honesty of purpose and sacrifice for the larger good.
3. Our founding fathers created the first oasis in the desert of a
colonized world nourished by democracy. Democracy is much more than
the right to vote every five years; its essence is the aspirations of the masses;
its spirit must influence the responsibilities of the leaders and duties
of the citizens every day. Democracy breathes through a vibrant Parliament,
an independent judiciary, a responsible media, a vigilant civil society, and
a bureaucracy committed to integrity and hard work. It survives through
accountability, not profligacy. And yet we have allowed unbridled personal
enrichment, self-indulgence, intolerance, discourtesy in behavior and disrespect
for authority to erode our work culture. The biggest impact of the decay
in the moral fiber of our society is on the hopes and aspirations of the young
and the poor. Mahatma Gandhi had advised us to avoid, and I quote,
“politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience,
knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without
humanity, and worship without sacrifice”, (unquote). We have to pay heed
to his advice as we work towards building a modern democracy. The ideals
of patriotism, compassion, tolerance, self-restraint, honesty, discipline and
respect for women have to be converted into a living force.
colonized world nourished by democracy. Democracy is much more than
the right to vote every five years; its essence is the aspirations of the masses;
its spirit must influence the responsibilities of the leaders and duties
of the citizens every day. Democracy breathes through a vibrant Parliament,
an independent judiciary, a responsible media, a vigilant civil society, and
a bureaucracy committed to integrity and hard work. It survives through
accountability, not profligacy. And yet we have allowed unbridled personal
enrichment, self-indulgence, intolerance, discourtesy in behavior and disrespect
for authority to erode our work culture. The biggest impact of the decay
in the moral fiber of our society is on the hopes and aspirations of the young
and the poor. Mahatma Gandhi had advised us to avoid, and I quote,
“politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience,
knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without
humanity, and worship without sacrifice”, (unquote). We have to pay heed
to his advice as we work towards building a modern democracy. The ideals
of patriotism, compassion, tolerance, self-restraint, honesty, discipline and
respect for women have to be converted into a living force.
Fellow citizens:
4. Institutions are a mirror of national character. Today we see widespread
cynicism and disillusionment with the governance and functioning of institutions
in our country. Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather
than fora that legislate. Corruption has become a major challenge. The
precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and
indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct
this regression.
cynicism and disillusionment with the governance and functioning of institutions
in our country. Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather
than fora that legislate. Corruption has become a major challenge. The
precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and
indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct
this regression.
5. Our Constitution provides a delicate balance of power between various
institutions of the State. This balance has to be maintained. We need a
Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that
gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the
nation and those values that made us a great civilization. We need a
state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount
challenges before us. We need a media and citizens who, even as they
claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities.
institutions of the State. This balance has to be maintained. We need a
Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that
gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the
nation and those values that made us a great civilization. We need a
state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount
challenges before us. We need a media and citizens who, even as they
claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities.
Fellow citizens:
6. A re-ordering of the society can be brought about through the
educational system. We cannot aspire to be a world class power without
a single world class university. History records that we were the
cynosure of the world once. Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila,
Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri comprised the ancient university
system that dominated the world for eighteen hundred years beginning
Sixth Century BC. They were a magnet for the finest minds and scholars
in the world. We must seek to regain that space. A university is the banyan
tree whose roots lie in basic education, in a vast network of schools that build
the intellectual prowess of our communities; we have to invest in every part
of this knowledge tree, from seed, root and branch to the highest leaf.
educational system. We cannot aspire to be a world class power without
a single world class university. History records that we were the
cynosure of the world once. Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila,
Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri comprised the ancient university
system that dominated the world for eighteen hundred years beginning
Sixth Century BC. They were a magnet for the finest minds and scholars
in the world. We must seek to regain that space. A university is the banyan
tree whose roots lie in basic education, in a vast network of schools that build
the intellectual prowess of our communities; we have to invest in every part
of this knowledge tree, from seed, root and branch to the highest leaf.
Fellow Citizens:
7. There is a direct relationship between a successful democracy and a successful
economy, for we are a people-driven nation. People serve their interests best
when they participate in decision- making at the level of panchayat and
other forms of local government. We have to rapidly empower the local
bodies with functions, functionaries and finances to improve their performance.
Faster growth has given us the resources, but larger outlays have not translated
into better outcomes. Without inclusive governance, we cannot achieve inclusive
growth.
economy, for we are a people-driven nation. People serve their interests best
when they participate in decision- making at the level of panchayat and
other forms of local government. We have to rapidly empower the local
bodies with functions, functionaries and finances to improve their performance.
Faster growth has given us the resources, but larger outlays have not translated
into better outcomes. Without inclusive governance, we cannot achieve inclusive
growth.
8. For a developing country of more than 1.2 billion people, the debate
between growth and redistribution is vital. While growth builds the scope for
redistribution, redistribution sustains growth over time. Both are equally
important. A disproportionate emphasis on any one, at the expense of the
other, can have adverse consequences for the nation.
between growth and redistribution is vital. While growth builds the scope for
redistribution, redistribution sustains growth over time. Both are equally
important. A disproportionate emphasis on any one, at the expense of the
other, can have adverse consequences for the nation.
9. The last decade has seen India emerge as one of the fastest growing
nations in the world. During this period, our economy grew annually at an
average rate of 7.9 per cent. We are today self-sufficient in food grains
production. We are the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter
of wheat in the world. The record production of 18.45 million tonne of pulses
this year augurs well for our march towards self-sufficiency in pulses.
This was unthinkable just a few years ago. This momentum has to be sustained.
In a globalized world, with increasing economic complexities, we have to
learn to cope better with adversities, both external and domestic.
nations in the world. During this period, our economy grew annually at an
average rate of 7.9 per cent. We are today self-sufficient in food grains
production. We are the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter
of wheat in the world. The record production of 18.45 million tonne of pulses
this year augurs well for our march towards self-sufficiency in pulses.
This was unthinkable just a few years ago. This momentum has to be sustained.
In a globalized world, with increasing economic complexities, we have to
learn to cope better with adversities, both external and domestic.
Fellow citizens:
10. At the dawn of our Independence, we lit the glowing lamp of modernity
and equitable economic growth. To keep this lamp aflame, our highest priority
has to be the elimination of poverty. Though a declining trend in the poverty
rate is clearly visible, our fight against this scourge is far from over. India has
the talent, ability and the resources to overcome this challenge.
and equitable economic growth. To keep this lamp aflame, our highest priority
has to be the elimination of poverty. Though a declining trend in the poverty
rate is clearly visible, our fight against this scourge is far from over. India has
the talent, ability and the resources to overcome this challenge.
11. Reforms that have enabled us to come this far have to be pursued at
all levels of governance. Favorable demographic changes over the next
two decades can pay us handsome dividends. It requires industrial transformation
and rapid creation of employment opportunities. It also requires an orderly
urbanization process. Several initiatives taken by the Government in the recent
past including the New Manufacturing Policy, the renewal of urban infrastructure
and the ambitious skill training programme will need close monitoring in the coming years.
all levels of governance. Favorable demographic changes over the next
two decades can pay us handsome dividends. It requires industrial transformation
and rapid creation of employment opportunities. It also requires an orderly
urbanization process. Several initiatives taken by the Government in the recent
past including the New Manufacturing Policy, the renewal of urban infrastructure
and the ambitious skill training programme will need close monitoring in the coming years.
12. We have given our citizens entitlements backed by legal guarantees
in terms of right to employment, education, food and information. We now
have to ensure that these entitlements lead to real empowerment for the
people. We need robust delivery mechanisms to make these legislations work.
New benchmarks of efficient public service delivery and accountability
have to be established. The Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme, launched
earlier this year, will bring in greater transparency, enhance efficiency
and eliminate wastage of precious resources.
in terms of right to employment, education, food and information. We now
have to ensure that these entitlements lead to real empowerment for the
people. We need robust delivery mechanisms to make these legislations work.
New benchmarks of efficient public service delivery and accountability
have to be established. The Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme, launched
earlier this year, will bring in greater transparency, enhance efficiency
and eliminate wastage of precious resources.
Fellow citizens:
13. In our race for development, we must be careful not to disturb
the balance between man and nature. The consequences of such
imbalance can be disastrous. My heartfelt condolences to the many
who lost their lives, and the innumerable who suffered in Uttarakhand;
and my salutations to those brave personnel of our security and
armed forces, government and NGOs who did so much to alleviate
suffering. This tragedy owes as much to the avarice of human
nature as to the rage of Mother Nature. This was nature’s wake-up call.
And it is time to wake up.
the balance between man and nature. The consequences of such
imbalance can be disastrous. My heartfelt condolences to the many
who lost their lives, and the innumerable who suffered in Uttarakhand;
and my salutations to those brave personnel of our security and
armed forces, government and NGOs who did so much to alleviate
suffering. This tragedy owes as much to the avarice of human
nature as to the rage of Mother Nature. This was nature’s wake-up call.
And it is time to wake up.
Fellow citizens:
14. We have seen in the recent past grave challenges to our security,
internal as well as external. The barbaric face of Maoist violence in
Chhattisgarh led to a loss of many innocent lives. Despite India's
consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there
have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the
Ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives.
Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits.
All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial
integrity of the nation will be taken. I applaud the courage and heroism
of our security and armed forces who maintain eternal vigilance and pay
homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice of the most precious
gift of life in the service of the motherland.
internal as well as external. The barbaric face of Maoist violence in
Chhattisgarh led to a loss of many innocent lives. Despite India's
consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there
have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the
Ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives.
Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits.
All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial
integrity of the nation will be taken. I applaud the courage and heroism
of our security and armed forces who maintain eternal vigilance and pay
homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice of the most precious
gift of life in the service of the motherland.
15. There will be a general election in our country before I have the
privilege of addressing you again on the eve of our next independence day.
This great festival of democracy, is an opportunity for us to elect a stable
government which will ensure security and economic development.
Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation’s
journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity.
privilege of addressing you again on the eve of our next independence day.
This great festival of democracy, is an opportunity for us to elect a stable
government which will ensure security and economic development.
Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation’s
journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity.
16. Democracy has given us an opportunity to re-create another
golden age. Let us not squander this extraordinary opportunity.
The journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination.
We must work on across-the-board revival of our values and
institutions. We must realize that rights go with responsibilities.
We must re-discover the virtue of self-scrutiny and self-restraint.
golden age. Let us not squander this extraordinary opportunity.
The journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination.
We must work on across-the-board revival of our values and
institutions. We must realize that rights go with responsibilities.
We must re-discover the virtue of self-scrutiny and self-restraint.
17. Let me conclude by quoting from the great classic Bhagvad Gita
where the Teacher propounds his views and then says, and I quote,
“ÿatha icchasi tatha kuru” “even as you choose, so you do. I do not
wish to impose my views on you. I have presented to you what
I think is right. Now it is for your conscience, for your judgment, for
your mind to decide what is right.” (unquote)
where the Teacher propounds his views and then says, and I quote,
“ÿatha icchasi tatha kuru” “even as you choose, so you do. I do not
wish to impose my views on you. I have presented to you what
I think is right. Now it is for your conscience, for your judgment, for
your mind to decide what is right.” (unquote)
On your decisions rests the future of our democracy.
Jai Hind”
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