Let contentious issues, extraneous debates not distract us: Prez’s I-day message to the nation

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday asserted that contentious issues and extraneous debates should not be allowed to distract us at a “pivotal moment” when the country is at the cusp of achieving many long-awaited goals.

In his televised address to the nation on the eve of India’s 72nd Independence Day, Kovind recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s “most noble mantra” on the power of ‘ahinsa’(non-violence) being far greater than the power of ‘hinsa’ (violence), remarks that come against the backdrop of  incidents of lynching and mob violence in some parts of the country.

“The power to stay your hand is far greater than the power to strike with your hand and ‘hinsa’ has no place in the society”.

Touching upon a range of issues, the president also said women were entitled to a life of their choice and security to fulfil their potential, amid concerns over their privacy and safety.

“We are at a juncture in our history that is very different from any period we have so far experienced. We are at the cusp of achieving many of our long-awaited goals.

Universal access to electricity, the elimination of open defecation, the elimination of homelessness, the very elimination of extreme poverty is achievable and attainable. We are at a pivotal moment. Let contentious issues and extraneous debates not distract us,” Kovind said.

The president said that every Indian who does not jump the queue and respects the civic space and rights of those ahead in the line lives up to the principles of the country’s freedom struggle.

“It’s a very small gesture. Let us try and abide by it,” Kovind said.

Highlighting the role of farmers in providing food security to fellow citizens and the contribution by the country’s armed and police forces in battling terrorism and ensuring law and order, he said every Indian who does his or her job with sincerity and commitment is upholding the principles of our freedom struggle.

He said the decisions the country takes today, the foundations we lay, the projects we undertake, the social and economic investments we make today - whether for the immediate future or for the medium term - will determine where we stand.

“The pace of change and development in our country is rapid and appreciable. And as per our civilisational traditions, it is driven by our people, by civil society and by a partnership between citizen and government. Its focus, again in keeping with the essence of Indian thought, is on a better life for the less fortunate,” the president noted.

Stressing that women have a special role in the society, he said the expansion of freedom in our country in many senses amounts to the expansion of freedom for women in our country. “This is true whether we see them as mothers, sisters, daughters or simply as women who are entitled to a life of their choosing - and deserving of the opportunity and the security to fulfil their potential”.