President Droupadi Murmu on Independence Day eve: ‘We will realise dreams of freedom fighters, Ambedkar’s vision’

Murmu was addressing the nation, on the eve of the 76th Independence Day. This was Murmu’s maiden Independence Day eve speech.

“In the past few years, a new India has taken shape. During the Covid pandemic, our achievements were greater than that of many developed nations. We are grateful to our scientists and Covid warriors for this,” she added.

“Covid played havoc with the global economy, but India’s economy is growing fast. We are the world’s start-up capital and the credit goes to our government and policymakers,” the president stated.

The president said when India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of the democratic form of government in India due to poverty and illiteracy at that time.

“But we Indians proved the sceptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” she said as she asked citizens to pledge to give everything for the sake of the safety, security, progress and prosperity of the country.

Mentioning that farmers and labourers deserve credit for the country’s robust economy, Murmu said: “Country’s economic growth has become more inclusive, with narrower disparities. The National Education Policy (NEP) and digital India initiative played a major role here.”

“Apart from the economy, we also focus on welfare measures too, such as housing and tap water schemes,” she said and added “keyword for India today is compassion for the downtrodden, the needy and for those on margins.”

Asserting that the source of the country’s new confidence is youngsters, farmers, and women, Murmu said: “Gender inequalities are reducing and women are breaking many glass ceilings. Women have made a mark in the Panchayati Raaj system too. Our daughters made us proud in the recent Common Wealth Games (CWG) as well. They are becoming fighter pilots and space scientists.”

The president also stated that despite having a lot of diversity, something united Indians and inspired the people to go ahead with the sentiment of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. “We need to preserve our environment and water resources, for future generations. Looking after nature has been a part of our civilisation and we should continue that,” Murmu said before concluding her address.

Murmu, 64, is India’s first president to be born after independence.

(With inputs from PTI)