In a traditional address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind highlighted the government’s initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission which he termed to be successful due to the active participation of common people.
In his address on the eve of 71st Republic Day, President also highlighted the central tenets of the democracy — justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
“Our Constitution gave us rights as citizens of a free democratic nation, but also placed on us the responsibility to always adhere to the central tenets of our democracy – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity,” he said.
“It becomes easier for us to follow these constitutional ideals, if we keep in mind the life and values of the Father of our Nation,” he added.
President Kovind also said that by following the central tenets of the democracy, we (citizens) will be adding a meaningful dimension to our celebrations of 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji.
President Kovind said the government had implemented various initiatives for the welfare of people which were accepted by the people and turned them into mass movement.
Beginning his address to Indian citizens across the globe, he highlighted the significance of Republic Day and also the values of Constitution.
He also praised the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and said the scheme has benefitted over 8 crore people in the country. “This has helped the need have access to clean fuel,” he said.
Further he also said that through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, around 14 crore farmers are being benefitted with a minimum income of Rs 6 thousand per year, helping them to live a respectful life.
Addressing the water crisis that has hit the nation and has become a major challenge for the government, he said the Ministry of Jalshakti has been created to meet the challenge. “I am confident that, like ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’, ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ too will take the form of a popular movement,” he asserted.
He also emphasized on the need of a strong internal security essential for the development of a country.
Praising Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), President said, “India is proud of the achievements of ISRO. They are making further progress in Mission Gaganyaan, and the nation excitedly looks forward to the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme gaining further momentum this year.”
Motivating the Indian players for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, he said, “While India has traditionally done well in a number of sports, the new generation of players and athletes has brought laurels for the nation in more and more varieties of sports in recent years. At Olympics 2020, the Indian contingent will be backed by cheers and good wishes of millions of Indians.”
Every year on January 26, India celebrates Republic Day, a day on which the Indian Constitution came into effect. On this day in 1930, in Lahore session, a resolution was passed to attain ‘Purna Swaraj’ and since then 26th January was celebrated as ‘Purna Swaraj Day’ till 1947.
After the Constitution was prepared on 26th November, 1949, it was decided to implement it on 26th January 1950 in order to make this day memorable.