India must guard itself against violence,intolerance: President Pranab Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee has said the country needs reforms and progressive legislation to revitalize the growth and asked the lawmakers to be accommodation and consensual while legislating.

In an apparent reference to delay in the passage of Goods and Services Tax bill, Mr. Mukherjee in his address to the nation on the eve of 67th Republic Day, said it is the bound duty of the law makers to ensure that legislation is enacted after due discussion and debate.

He said delays in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development.Noting the grim instances of violence that hit at established values of justice, equality, and gender and economic equity in Indian democracy, the President called for guarding the country against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason.

He said reverence for the past is one of the essential ingredients of nationalism.

On terrorism, Mr. Mukherjee said it is inspired by insane objectives and motivated by hatred, instigated by puppeteers who have invested heavily in havoc through the mass murder of innocents.

He said it is a cancer which must be operated out with a firm scalpel.The President said terrorists seek to undermine order by rejecting the very basis of strategic stability.

He said the country must attempt to resolve the complex edges of its emotional and geo-political inheritance with neighbours through a peaceful dialogue.

Mr. Mukherjee , however, said India cannot discuss peace under shower of bullets.Expressing concern over alarming level of pollution in the country, the President said peoples' right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life has been breached, especially in cities.

He said climate change has acquired real meaning with 2015 turning out to be the warmest year.

Calling for multiple strategies and action at various levels, he said innovative solutions of urban planning, use of clean energy, and changing the mindsets of the people are necessary for all stakeholders.

The President said 2015 has been a year of challenges as the global economy remained subdued, unpredictability ruled the commodity markets, exports, and manufacturing sectors suffered and investors withdrew their funds.

He said a large part of the country faced severe drought and other areas reeled under devastating floods and



unusual weather conditions impacting agricultural production.

He said the country is building and implementing strategies to solve these problems and this year, it is poised to become the fastest growing economy with an estimated growth rate of 7.3 percent.

The President said over 19 crore bank accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is the single largest exercise in the world aimed at financial inclusion.

He also spoke about Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana for creating model villages and the Digital India programme for bridging the digital divide.

He said the Make-in-India campaign will boost manufacturing by facilitating easy conduct of business and improving competitiveness of domestic industry and the Start-up India programme will foster innovation and encourage new-age entrepreneurship.

He said it was expected that the 21st Century would see elimination of extreme poverty.

However, he said, during the first fifteen years of the century, this optimism has faded and there is unprecedented turbulence across the world with alarming increase in regional instabilities.

On education in the country, he stressed on a system that fosters critical thinking and makes teaching intellectually stimulating.

He said it must inspire scholarship and encourage respect for knowledge and teachers.

The President said it must also instill a spirit of reverence towards women to guide a person's social conduct throughout his life.

Saying that academic institutions must become world-class, he said a beginning has already been made with two Indian institutes of higher learning finding place in the top two hundred in international rankings.

Mr Mukherjee said there will always be occasional doubters and baiters as it is a virtue of democracy but the achievements of democracy must be applauded.

The President greeted the entire nation, especially the members of Armed forces, paramilitary forces and internal security forces and paid tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in defending territorial integrity and upholding the rule of law.

Concluding his address, the President said a generational change has happened and youth have moved to the centre-stage to take charge.