President Droupadi Murmu cited the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act) as a significant step towards women’s empowerment. (File photo)
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday stressed the need to strengthen affirmative action as a tool for inclusion, while urging a rejection of divisive tendencies rooted in perceived social hierarchies.
In his address to the nation on the eve of the 78th Independence Day, Murmu highlighted the steady progress of political democracy in India, saying it reflects moves towards social democracy.
He noted that the nation thrives on its diversity and plurality and moves forward as a cohesive entity.
“Social justice is a top priority for the Narendra Modi government, which has initiated unprecedented measures for the welfare of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other marginalised communities,” the President said.
He quoted BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, stressing that “political democracy cannot last unless social democracy is at its foundation” and said that the steady progress of political democracy bears testimony to the progress made towards consolidation of social democracy.
“The spirit of inclusion permeates every aspect of our social life. We move together as a cohesive nation with our diversity and plurality. Affirmative action must be strengthened as an instrument of inclusion. I firmly believe that in a country as large as ours, tendencies that fuel discord based on perceived social hierarchies must be rejected,” he said.
Murmu detailed several government initiatives aimed at helping marginalized groups, including the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ), which provides direct financial assistance, and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), which focuses on improving the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
He also mentioned the NAMASTE programme, designed to eliminate manual scavenging by ensuring that sanitation workers do not perform hazardous tasks.
The President highlighted the importance of justice in its broadest sense, particularly in terms of gender and climate justice.
She acknowledged that while women in Indian society are seen as equals, traditional prejudices persist.
Murmu noted that government efforts have tripled budget allocations for women’s welfare over the past decade, leading to increased female labor force participation and improved sex ratio at birth.
“But I am happy to note that the government has given equal importance to women’s welfare and empowerment. The budget allocation for this purpose has more than tripled in the last decade,” she said.
She cited the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act) as a significant step towards women’s empowerment.
Speaking on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Speaker Murmu highlighted the record number of nearly 97 million eligible voters and described it as the largest electoral exercise in history.
He praised the Electoral Commission and security personnel for ensuring a smooth electoral process and said the widespread exercise of the right to vote is a powerful endorsement of democracy.
“When such a large number of people exercise their right to vote, it is a resounding vote in favour of the idea of democracy. The successful holding of elections in India strengthens democratic forces across the world,” he said.
Recognising farmers as “Annadata” (food providers), he lauded their contributions to India’s agricultural self-sufficiency. “With this, they have contributed immensely to making India self-sufficient in agriculture and feeding its population,” he said.
Murmu also highlighted substantial improvements in infrastructure, including roads, railways and ports, driven by strategic planning and effective institutions.
He also highlighted the government’s promotion of sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, creating an enabling environment for startups and enhancing India’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
“Considering the vast potential of futuristic technology, the government has vigorously promoted a number of sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence while creating an ideal ecosystem for startups that will boost their growth. This has made India an even more attractive investment destination,” he said.
With greater transparency in the banking and financial sector, he expressed optimism about the prospects of economic growth that could elevate India among developed nations.
In her address, the President also acknowledged the celebration of Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day), reflecting on the human tragedy of Partition, which resulted in immense suffering and loss of life.
“As we prepare to celebrate our Independence Day, we must remember this unprecedented tragedy and stand in solidarity with the families affected,” he concluded.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 14, 2024 | 19:50 IS
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.