Today, we celebrate our 63rd Independence Day. I extend my warmest greetings to all of you in India and the world over. I would like to convey a special word of gratitude to the brave personnel of the armed forces and the paramilitary forces who guard our frontiers. I also extend my greetings to the central and state level police as well as our internal security forces.
Our independence was won after a long and arduous struggle. Countless men and women, yearning for liberation from the colonial yoke, joined the ranks of freedom fighters. Energized by the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and his call for an agitation based on the principles of “Ahimsa” and “Satyagraha,” they displayed undaunted courage. They willingly went through great hardships guided solely by the desire that the country be independent and its people free to determine their own destiny. This selfless spirit and sacrifices won us our freedom. I call on fellow citizens to join me in paying homage and our deepest respect to our great national leaders, martyrs, freedom fighters and all those who took part in the freedom movement and gave us a sovereign nation.
Freedom was won and the task of nation building brooked no delay. The vision, the principles and responsibilities would now onward be for the leaders and the people of India to determine. On Aug. 15, 1947, Bapuji was quick to remind us of this. He said, “From today you have to wear the crown of thorns. Strive ceaselessly to cultivate truth and nonviolence. Be humble. Be forbearing ... Now you will be tested through and through.”
The same day at the stroke of midnight the vision of a free India was enunciated by the first prime minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in his stirring “Tryst With Destiny” speech. He said we would have to, “build the noble mansion of free India where all her children dwell.”
Thus, we embarked on our journey. The four essential pillars necessary to support the edifice of India have been and remain — democracy, inclusive economic development, social empowerment and a value system based on our heritage. Each one of them is individually important and must be equally strong for a stable and progressive nation.
The 15th general elections were held this year. Spread over five phases, the effort was to reach out to every voter, even in the remotest parts of the country. The voice of every citizen is important and the principle of inclusiveness integral to democracy. The electoral exercise reaffirmed the strong faith of the people, across the country, in democracy. It once again proved that the world’s largest democracy is, indeed, a mature democracy.
If we can work to ensure that each citizen gets an opportunity to be heard while choosing representatives to Parliament and the Assemblies, it also becomes our bounden duty to ensure that they are heard even in the period between elections. Each elected Member of Parliament represents on an average the voice of over a 1.3 million electorate — larger than the population of some nations, and this imposes a huge responsibility to represent the aspirations of those who have elected them. They have a clear obligation to work for the welfare of the people and the progress of the nation.
At the same time, the expectations of the people are rising as they are becoming more aware of their rights and seek better opportunities. Facilities, amenities and services meant for them can be delivered smoothly only if there is an effective governance system that is less cumbersome but more transparent and accountable.
Citizens have to come forward to contribute to government’s efforts in other development initiatives through public-private partnerships, NGOs, community groups or Self Help Groups. An enlightened citizenry conscious of its civic duties and social responsibilities, maintaining discipline, following good habits particularly about hygiene and cleanliness, respectful toward nature’s bounty and sensitive to environmental concerns is the greatest asset of a nation.
Our uninterrupted democratic credentials and our steady economic progress achieved due to our hard work have fortified India’s stature. We must prepare for the future world whose contours will be shaped by innovation, technology and a spirit of enterprise. Transformational changes have taken place in India when technology has been used for development.
The building of modern India requires a focus on strengthening our academic institutions and research facilities. However, India which is a civilization in continuum, seeks in addition to material progress, enrichment of human life through cultural advancement, a constant search for knowledge and understanding, and above all, social justice. Social empowerment must occupy center stage in our national consciousness.
I am confident that our nation will move forward to become an exemplary democracy, an economic power and a progressive society. However, what will be the value system upon which we will judge our performance? Harmony and peaceful coexistence have been at the core of our civilization. Therefore, even as we progress it will be these values which would help to provide us strength. India should build its destiny on a culture of peace and harmony. There should be harmony between good traditions and progress.
India has shown a remarkable capacity to assimilate change as well as the influences that have been brought to its land over centuries by the many groups who came here. This has made us a composite society consisting of many different strands but yet united. This unity has been brought about by the philosophy of harmony which demands a sense of responsibility toward fellow human beings. It seeks to resolve differences rather than widen them. It seeks to bring people together rather than divide them. It looks at change not as a threat but as a reality of the march of time. Peaceful coexistence is inherent in our culture. Terrorism is the very antithesis of peaceful coexistence. It is condemnable because it is against the tenets of every religion and faith.
We won because our freedom struggle was based on noble principles. We have adhered to secularism, equality and respect for all religions. I call upon my brothers and sisters of every religion — whether they be Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and all others, to live together in harmony. Jai Hind!
Ms. Pratibha Patil
President of India
