President Ram Nath Kovind today pitched for a partnership between citizens and the government to create a New India by 2022 that is a "compassionate society" and includes the "humanist component integral to the nation's DNA".
In his maiden address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, Kovind remembered the role of leaders of Independence struggle including Jawaharlal Nehru. He said the generation that brought us to freedom was diverse which included men and women from all parts of the country and a variety of "political and social thought".
Asking people to draw inspiration from freedom fighters, Kovind said there was a need to invoke the same spirit today for nation building.
The stress on the moral basis of policy and action, belief in unity and discipline, faith in a synthesis of heritage and science, and promotion of the rule of law and of education – all of it is located in a partnership between citizen and government.
‘Spirit of Empathy Alive in India’
Ram Nath Kovind also stressed on the partnership between the citizens and the government, between the individual and society, between a family and the wider community.
Today, in big cities we may not even know our neighbours. Whether in cities or villages, it is important to renew that sense of caring and sharing. This will make us a gentler and happier society and help us understand each other with greater empathy.President Ram Nath Kovind
Kovind said this spirit of empathy and of social service and volunteerism is very much alive in India. He also added that the partnership between the citizens and the government remains crucial to the success of several flagship announcements of the Narendra Modi government – like voluntarily giving up LPG subsidy, demonetisation, introduction of GST besides schemes like 'beti bacaho beti padhao', 'Swachh Bharat' among others.
The President said in the year 2022, the country will complete 75 years of Independence and “it is our national resolve to attain certain desired milestones for a New India by then.”
He said a New India means some obvious parameters – like a house for every family, power on demand, better roads and telecom, a modern railway network, rapid and sustained growth.
‘Demonetisation Has Boosted Efforts for An Honest Society’
Speaking on demonetisation, Kovind lauded the “immense patience and understanding" of the citizens in the days after the note ban and hailed the
“whole-hearted support” of the people in the battle against corruption.
Demonetisation has boosted our efforts to build an honest society. We must sustain this spirit and this momentum.President Ram Nath Kovind
Appreciating the families which gave away their LPG subsidies, Kovind said: “Each of us must find a way to give back to society. Each of us must choose one thing we can do to help another, less fortunate Indian.”
The single most critical factor for building our nation is to equip our coming generation. We need to ensure that not one child is left behind. As such I would urge you, as fellow nation builders, to help educate underprivileged children in our society, he said.President Ram Nath Kovind
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