"Many conflicts have emerged around the world, hope embroiled regions will find peaceful way": President Murmu in R-Day address

New Delhi [India], January 25 : Noting that many conflicts have emerged around the world in recent times and several parts of it have been suffering from violence, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday hoped that the regions embroiled in conflicts will find a peaceful way to resolve conflicts and bring about peace.
In her Address to the Nation on the eve of Republic Day, the President said that India has time and again shown that non-violence is not just an ideal that may be difficult to achieve but it is a distinct possibility and that it is a lived reality for many.
"In recent times, many conflicts have emerged around the world and several parts of it have been suffering from violence. When each of the two conflicting sides believes that it is right and the other is wrong, the way out should be found in the light of reason. Unfortunately, instead of reason, fears and prejudices have fueled passions, leading to relentless violence. There have been a series of humanitarian tragedies on a large scale, and we feel aggrieved over the human suffering," she said and recalled Buddha's words which mean 'Not at any time are enmities appeased here through enmity but they are appeased through non-enmity. This is the eternal law.'
"From Vardhaman Mahavir and Samrat Ashok to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, India has time and again shown that non-violence is not just an ideal that may be difficult to achieve but it is a distinct possibility - in fact, it is a lived reality for many. Let us hope that the regions embroiled in conflicts will find a peaceful way to resolve conflicts and bring about peace," she added.
The President said India's ancient wisdom can also help the world find a way out of the global environmental crisis.
"I am glad to see India at the forefront of promoting renewable sources of energy and taking a leadership position in global climate action. India has launched the 'LiFE Movement' for adoption of an environment-conscious lifestyle. The global community has appreciated our country's emphasis on individual behaviour change for dealing with the issues of climate change."
She said people everywhere can and must contribute by bringing their lifestyle in tune with Mother Nature. "That will not only help save the planet for the generations to come but will also enhance the quality of life".
The President said India is moving ahead with confidence, which comes from and is also reflected by the robust health of the economy.
"Our GDP growth rate has remained the highest among major economies in recent years, and we have all reasons to believe that this extraordinary performance will continue in the year 2024 and beyond."
She also spoke of the push to the welfare drive by the government.
"What I find particularly noteworthy is that the same farsighted planning that fuels the economy has also given a push to the welfare drive to make the development inclusive in every sense of the term. The government had increased the scope of schemes to provide free food to the weaker sections of society during the pandemic days. These measures were later continued to extend a helping hand to the vulnerable population to come out of that crisis. Expanding the scope of that initiative, the government has decided to provide free food grains to over 81 crore people for five years. This may be the biggest welfare initiative of its kind in history."
She said there have been several mission-mode schemes to increase the ease of living for all citizens.
"From the availability of safe and adequate drinking water at home to the security of having one's own home, these are basic minimum requirements, not privileges. These matters are beyond any political or economic ideology and must be seen from a humanitarian perspective."
The President said that the government has not only expanded and enhanced the welfare schemes, but it has also redefined the idea of welfare itself.
"It will be a proud day for us all when India becomes one of those few countries where homelessness is a rarity. Similarly, the National Education Policy gives adequate thrust to bridge the digital divide and create a uniform educational structure for the benefit of underprivileged students. The expanding insurance cover of the Ayushman Bharat scheme aims to bring together all beneficiaries under its umbrella and provides a great reassurance to the poor and the vulnerable," she said.
"Our sportspersons have raised India's profile on the international stage. In the Asian Games held last year, we made history with a record-breaking tally of 107 medals, and we won 111 medals in Asian Para Games," she said.
The President said that women are making very impressive contribution to our medal tally.
"Our sports stars have inspired children to take up diverse sports and games, helping them boost their self-confidence. I am sure that our sportspersons, who are infused with this new confidence, will deliver an improved performance in the upcoming Paris Olympics," she said.
She said Republic Day is an occasion to recall our foundational values and principles.
"When we contemplate any one of them, we are naturally guided to the rest. Democracy implies a diversity of culture, beliefs and practices. Celebrating diversity implies equality, which is upheld by justice. Freedom is what makes it all possible. The totality of these values and principles is what makes us Indian. Guided by the sagacity of Dr BR. Ambedkar, the spirit of the Constitution, imbued with these foundational values and principles, has led us invariably on the path of social justice to put an end to all kinds of discrimination."
The President said that the national festivals are momentous occasions when we together look back and look ahead.
She said the G20 Summit also boosted India's emergence as the voice of the Global South, adding a necessary element to the international discourse.
"If we look at the year since the last Republic Day, there is much to be pleased about. The successful organising of the Group of 20 Summit in the capital, under India's presidency, was an unprecedented achievement. What was all the more noteworthy was the way the people were involved in the G20 events. The ideas and inputs travelled not downwards from the top but upwards from the bottom. The magnificent event provided lessons for all in making citizens participants in strategic and diplomatic matters that are, in the final analysis, going to shape their own future."
The President also referred to the Women's Reservation Bill passed by Parliament.
"I believe the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will prove to be a revolutionary tool of women's empowerment. It will also go a long way in improving the processes of our governance. When more women will be involved in the matters of collective importance, our administrative priorities will be more in tune with the needs of the masses."
Referring to India's space missions, she said that India's space journey is slated to cross new milestones.
She said India went to the moon last year, becoming the first to land on the lunar south pole region.
"After Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation rolled out a solar mission as well. Recently, Aditya L1 was successfully put into the halo orbit. We began the new year with the launch of our first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite called XPoSat which will study space mysteries like black holes...
"Many more space missions are planned in the current calendar year. I am happy to add that India's space journey is slated to cross new milestones. Preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, our first human spaceflight programme, are proceeding smoothly. We have always been proud of our scientists and technology experts, but now they are aiming far higher than before and delivering too. India's space programme is aimed at expanding and deepening the role of science and technology for the benefit of the entire humanity. The amount of enthusiasm we see in the country for the ISRO's initiatives is heartening.
"New achievements in this area have fired the imagination of the young generation. More children, I am sure, will become interested in science and cultivate a scientific temper. It will also inspire more youngsters, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and technology," she added.