New Delhi, Jan 25:: 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 emphasized 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 the ‘one nation one election’ plan and said that this plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, and 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 civilizational ethos.
The President also expressed hope for the future, envisioning a time when today’s children will salute the tricolor 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.”