NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on Saturday on the eve of the 76th Republic Day touching upon a wide range of topics, from the enduring significance of the Constitution to India’s achievements in space exploration, sports, and cultural preservation.
She emphasised the country’s progress in welfare initiatives, efforts to combat climate change, and reforms aimed at redefining governance. She lauded the cabinet’s approval of ‘one nation one election’ plan and said that this plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, reduce financial burden.
President Murmu lauded India’s remarkable strides in sports, highlighting achievements in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as D. Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion. She also underscored India’s leadership in environmental initiatives, including ‘Mission Lifestyle for Environment’ and the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which surpassed its goal of planting 80 crore seedlings.
In addition, she praised ISRO’s recent successes, particularly the Space Docking Experiment, making India the fourth nation to achieve this capability. The President highlighted bold governance reforms like the proposed ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative and reiterated the importance of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as core values of India’s civilisational ethos.
The President also expressed hope for the future, envisioning a time when today’s children will salute the tricolour in 2050 and recall how India’s incomparable Constitution guided them along the way. She stressed that future generations will continue to uphold the mission of Independent India, quoting Mahatma Gandhi: “If Swaraj was not meant to civilize us, and to purify and stabilize our civilization, it would be nothing worth. The very essence of our civilization is that we give a paramount place to morality in all our affairs, public or private.”
Further, she urged the nation to reaffirm its commitment to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth, nonviolence, and compassion, not only for humanity but also for nature. She said, “He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin – indeed, the true source of rights is duty.”
Here are the key quotes from her address:
On India’s Constitution and civilisational heritage
- The Constitution provides the ultimate foundation of our collective identity as Indians; it binds us together as a family.
- Justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are not theoretical concepts that we came to learn in modern times; they have always been part of our
civilisational heritage .
On sports achievements
“Our increasing confidence levels as a nation are also reflected in the arena of sports and games where our players have scripted thrilling success stories. Last year, our athletes made a mark in the Olympic Games. In the Paralympic Games, we sent our largest-ever contingent, who came back with our best-ever performance. The achievements in the sports during the year 2024 were capped by D. Gukesh, who became the youngest World Chess Champion.”
On ISRO’s achievements
“The Indian Space Research Organisation has been taking giant leaps in space in recent years. This month, the ISRO once again made the nation proud with its successful Space Docking Experiment. India has now become the fourth country in the world to have this capability.”
On environmental efforts
“Each of us must contribute to the efforts to counter the global threat of climate change. There have been two exemplary initiatives in this regard. At the global level, India is leading a mass movement, called Mission Lifestyle for Environment, to inspire individuals and communities to be more proactive in protecting and preserving the environment. Last year, on World Environment Day, we launched a unique campaign, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ paying tribute to the nurturing power of our mothers as well as of Mother Nature. Its target of planting 80 crore seedlings was achieved ahead of the deadline.”
On bold governance reforms
“Reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision. Another measure that promises to redefine the terms of good governance is the Bill introduced in Parliament to synchronise election schedules in the country. The ‘One Nation One Election’ plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, mitigate resource diversion, and reduce the financial burden, apart from offering many other benefits.”
On cultural preservation
“The ongoing Mahakumbh can be seen as an expression of the richness of that heritage. An exciting array of initiatives is underway in the domain of culture to preserve and revitalise our traditions and customs. India is a hub of great linguistic diversity. In order to conserve as well as celebrate this richness, the Government has recognised Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit as classical languages.”
On welfare initiatives
“Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, national fellowships, overseas scholarships, hostels and coaching facilities for the youth from the SC communities are being provided. The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana is making progress in reducing poverty among the SC communities by adding employment and income generation opportunities.”
On economic transformation
“At the time of Independence and even later, large parts of the country had faced extreme poverty and also hunger. But one thing we were not deprived of was our belief in ourselves. Thanks to their sterling efforts, India’s economy today influences global economic trends. Today, India is taking leadership positions in international forums. This transformation would not have been possible without the blueprint laid down by our Constitution.”
On India’s freedom fighters
“Today, we should first recall the brave souls who made great sacrifices to free the motherland from the shackles of foreign rule. Some were well-known, while some remained little known till recently. We are celebrating this year the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who stands as a representative of the freedom fighters whose role in national history is now being recognised in true proportions.”
