President Pranab’s R-Day Focus: Peace, Pollution and Progress

President Pranab Mukherjee talks about tackling terror, challenges for the Indian economy and more in his speech.

In the customary speech by President Pranab Mukherjee just ahead of the 67th Republic Day, he has presented a 3P mantra – peace, pollution and progress.

President Pranab Mukherjee spoke of the need to resolve issues between nations through dialogue. He said that the Indian subcontinent has a great opportunity to lead the way. He also made a strong point saying terrorism has forced the world into a state of war “that must be operated out with a firm scalpel”. Here’s a look at the highlights of the President’s speech.

Peace

• There is unprecedented turbulence across vast regions, with alarming increase in regional instabilities.
  
• The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war into its most barbaric manifestation. No corner can now consider itself safe from this savage monster.
• Terrorism is inspired by insane objectives, motivated by bottomless depths of hatred, instigated by puppeteers. They have invested heavily in havoc through the mass murder of innocents.
• This is war beyond any doctrine, a cancer which must be operated out with a firm scalpel.

Talks and International Relations

• For revitalizing the forces of growth, we need reforms and progressive legislation.
  
• It is bounden duty of the lawmakers to ensure that such legislation is enacted after due discussion and debate.
  
• A spirit of accommodation, cooperation and consensus-building should be the preferred mode of decision-making.
  
• There will be disputes among nations; the closer we are to a neighbour the higher the propensity for disputes.
  
• Dialogue is the civilized way to bridge disagreement; ideally, should be a continual engagement. We cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets.
  
• We, on our subcontinent, have a historic opportunity to become a beacon to the world at a time of great danger.
  
• We must resolve complex edges of our geo-political inheritance with neighbours through peaceful dialogue.
  

Progress

• India today is a rising power, a country fast emerging as a global leader in science, technology, innovation & startups.
  
• The year 2015 has been a year of challenges. During this year, the global economy remained subdued. In such troubled environment, no one nation could be an oasis of growth.
  
• Large parts of India were affected by severe drought, other areas reeled under devastating floods.
  
• Unusual weather conditions impacted our agricultural production. India is building and implementing strategies to solve these problems.
  
• This year, with an estimated growth rate of 7.3 percent, India is poised to become the fastest growing large economy.
  
• Let us continue to complain; demand; rebel; this is a virtue of democracy. Let us applaud what our democracy has achieved.
  
• We must invest in mutual prosperity; our example can be its own message to a world in anxious need of amity.
  

Pollution

• Each of us has the right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life in India. This right has been breached, especially in our cities, where pollution has reached alarming levels.
  
• Climate change has acquired real meaning with 2015 turning out to be the warmest year on record.
  
• Multiple strategies and action at various levels is necessary to address pollution.
  
• Innovative solutions of urban planning, use of clean energy etc call for active participation of all stakeholders.
  
• Permanence of such changes can be ensured only if people own these changes.
  

The President ended the speech quoting Rabindranath Tagore. He said,

Move ahead, the roll of drums announce your triumphal march.
With feet of glory, you shall cut out your own path.
Delay not, delay not, a new age dawns.