I convey my warm greetings to all of you for this national festival.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.
On the 15th of August 1947, Bharat Mata was liberated from the shackles of subjugation. Every citizen became an architect of the destiny of independent India. The true meaning of freedom lies in ensuring that all citizens are able to utilise opportunities to fulfil their aspirations, and work towards the goal of making India the foremost nation in the world.
Dedicated students and teachers, scientists and engineers committed to development, doctors and healthcare workers providing health services, industrious workers and our farmers are all contributing to nation-building through their efforts. Talented sportspersons, craftpersons and artists, visionary intellectuals, diligent members of the workforce in private and public sectors, people’s representatives devoted to serving them, officials in the judicial system, dutiful civil servants, big and small investors contributing to our economy, selfless social workers, and all frontline workers of the Swachhata Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) are all playing an important role in the nation’s progress.
I wholeheartedly appreciate each one of them. I especially commend the devotion of our soldiers in the three Armed Forces, Armed Police Forces, and all police personnel for their unwavering dedication to duty.
I also praise the Indian diaspora and the officials serving in our embassies who enhance India’s prestige and honour on the global stage.
My dear fellow citizens, We are moving ahead towards building Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by the centenary year of our Independence in 2047. It is our resolve to ensure that the fruits of development reach every individual.
Today, people from ordinary backgrounds are making extraordinary contributions in many fields. This strengthens my belief that in today’s India, everyone can dream big and also realise such dreams.
My dear fellow citizens, during the period of a little over a decade, our country has witnessed: Rapid and inclusive development; Priority to harmonising heritage and development; and Removal of numerous, decades-old obstacles to development.
More than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. Under ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’, the world’s largest programme of financial inclusion, nearly 59 crore account holders have joined the banking system. Out of these, more than 32 crore account holders are women.
Food security has been ensured for more than 80 crore people by providing them with free rations. Free healthcare coverage of up to five lakh rupees per year has been provided to 60 crore people.
India has developed the world’s largest and best digital infrastructure. Digital payments are now common even in small rural shops and among street vendors. More than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in India.
Our country has seen an unprecedented expansion of modern infrastructure in the form of highways, waterways, railways and airways. This is creating opportunities for new enterprises, generating employment, and boosting investor confidence.
My dear fellow citizens, warfare and instability prevailing in several parts of the world are affecting every country. Even in such trying circumstances, our economy is moving ahead as the fastest growing major economy in the world. According to economic projections, the growth rate of the Indian economy is expected to be more than twice the average global growth rate.
While moving ahead on the path of modern development, India is also playing a leading role at the global level in protecting the environment. Our country has achieved some of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, ahead of schedule. Over the past few years, the development of renewable energy has gained unprecedented momentum.
National interest is the foundation of our foreign policy. Peace, co-operation, and dialogue are the pillars of our foreign policy.
We have entered into Free Trade Agreements with many countries to enhance economic co-operation and strengthen mutual relations.
It gives me immense pleasure to see our girls performing exceptionally well in the field of education. Also, women’s participation is increasing across diverse sectors from the Drone Didi who contributes to enhancing agricultural productivity, to the Fighter Combat Leader in the Air Force. In the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, women have won eight out of India’s total tally of 13 gold medals. Our women are increasingly achieving economic self-reliance.
A new phase of space exploration has been ushered in through the recent successful rocket launch by a young team with an average age of just 28 years. Many of our youth are embracing the culture of job creation as they pursue the path of self-employment. The participation of young entrepreneurs has led to the creation of a strong start-up ecosystem in our country.
Our students are the architects of India’s future. Public examinations become gateways to the opportunities for our students. The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth.
The government is making unprecedented investments to promote sports. These efforts are yielding good results. In international sports tournaments, there has been a remarkable leap in the performance and achievements of our sportspersons.
It is my belief that with the participation of the society and efforts of the Government, people in every village, each town, and all households across India will become healthier, happier, and prosperous. With this all-inclusive spirit of patriotism, let us devote ourselves to the sacred national goal of transforming Swatantra Bharat into Viksit Bharat.
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