As President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, hailed the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, President Droupadi Murmu called it a landmark in “India’s continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage”. “It (the Ram Temple in Ayodhya) stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people’s faith but also as a testament to people’s enormous trust in judicial process,” she said.
Towards the conclusion of her speech on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu said the period of Amrit Kaal is going to be that of “unprecedented technological changes”. President Murmu hailed India’s sportspersons for a record-breaking tally of 107 medals at the Asian Games and 111 medals at Asian Para Games.
“We are glad to see 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.
“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. 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,” she said in her speech.
Hailing the various successful missions of the ISRO, President Murmu said the achievements have fired the imagination of the youth. “India went to the moon, 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” she said.
“Many more space missions are planned in the current calendar year. Preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, our first human spaceflight programme, are proceeding smoothly. India’s space programme is aimed at expanding and deepening the role of science and technology for the benefit of the entire humanity. It will also inspire more youngsters, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and technology,” she added.
President Droupadi Murmu said the Women’s Reservation Bill, passed by the Parliament in October last year, has led India to progress closer to the ideal of gender equality. She said it will prove to be a “revolutionary tool of women’s empowerment”.The successful organising of the Group of 20 Summit in the capital, under India’s presidency, was an unprecedented achievement, she added.
“What was all the more noteworthy was the way the people were involved in the G20 events. 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 G20 Summit also boosted India’s emergence as the voice of the Global South, adding a necessary element to the international discourse,” she said.
