On the eve of the nation’s 77th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu said that India has today not only regained its rightful place on the world stage, but has also enhanced its standing in the international order.

Addressing the nation, she said she had interacted with the Indian Diaspora abroad and observed a new confidence in the India story. India is playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world, she said.

India has also assumed leadership of international forums, especially the presidency of G-20, the President said. As the G-20 represents two-thirds of the world population, this is a unique opportunity to help shape global discourse in the right direction, she said.

With the G-20 presidency, India can nudge decision-making in trade and finance towards equitable progress, she said. Beyond trade and finance, matters of human development too are on the agenda. There are many global issues that concern all humanity and are not limited by geographical boundaries, she said.

“I am confident that with India’s proven leadership in dealing with global issues, member-nations will be able to advance effective action on these fronts,” the President said.

What is notable in India’s presidency of G-20 is the way this diplomatic activity has been taken to the grassroots, she said. There has been a first-of-its-kind campaign to encourage people’s participation.

The president said it is delightful to see, for example, students enthusiastically participating in diverse contests organised in schools and colleges touching upon the themes of G-20. All citizens are enthusiastic about events related to G-20.

Mrs Murmu said this enthusiasm, along with a sense of empowerment, is possible, because the nation has been taking great strides on all fronts. India’s economy has proven to be not only resilient during turbulent times but is also a beacon of hope for others.

The world economy is passing through a delicate stage, as the pandemic has been followed by international events that have added to the air of uncertainty. Yet, the Government has been able to navigate the stormy waters very well, she said.

India has converted challenges into opportunities and recorded high GDP growth. “Our Annadata farmers have contributed significantly to our economic growth. The nation feels indebted to them,” the President said.

Inflation at the global level remains a cause for worry. But in India the Government and the Reserve Bank have managed to contain it. The Government has succeeded in protecting the common people from high inflation while also providing a more extensive security cover to the poor. The world looks up to India for global economic growth, the President said.

The continued economic progress is driven by a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, there is a sustained push to unleash the forces of enterprise by making it easier to do business and generate job opportunities.

On the other, proactive and expanded welfare initiatives for the needy have been taken in various domains, she said. “Giving priority to the deprived remains the focus of our policies and actions that have lifted a large number of people out of poverty in the last decade,” she said.

Similarly, there are specific programmes to improve the conditions of tribals and encourage them to join the journey of progress. “I appeal to our tribal brothers and sisters to enrich their traditions while embracing modernity,” she said.

“I am happy to note that along with economic growth, human-development-concerns have also been accorded high priority. I am happy to note that the economic empowerment of women is being given special focus in our country,” she said.

“Economic empowerment strengthens the position of women in the family and society. I urge all fellow citizens to give priority to women empowerment,” she said.

“I would like our sisters and daughters to overcome challenges with courage and move ahead in life. Development of women was among the ideals of our freedom struggle,” she said.

Today, women are contributing extensively in every field of development and service to the country and are enhancing the nation’s pride. “Today our women have made their special place in many such fields in which their participation was unimaginable a few decades ago,” she said.

Greeting the nation on the 77th Independence Day, she said “it is a glorious and auspicious occasion for all of us. I am overjoyed to see that festivity is in the air.”

“Our country has entered the ‘Amrit Kaal’ with new resolutions and we are moving forward towards making India an inclusive and developed nation by the year 2047. Let us all take a pledge to perform our fundamental duty to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement,” the President said.