President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The consecration of the Ram Temple, the Chandrayaan moon landing and the G20 Summit featured big in the Republic Day address of President Droupadi Murmu, who said that India is the “mother of democracy” and the 75th year of the Republic is a “historic milestone”.
“In India, democratic system is much older than the concept of western democracy. That is the reason why India is called the ‘mother of democracy’,” President Murmu said in her address.
Speaking of the Ram Temple, Murmu said that the construction of the temple took place after a judicial process. “When this event will be seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in India’s continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage. Now it 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 (the) judicial process,” President Murmu said.
The President said that the “successful organising” of the G20 Summit under India’s presidency was an “unprecedented achievement”. “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,” President Murmu said.
On the Bharat Ratna being conferred to Karpoori Thakur, the President said that he was a “tireless champion of social justice”. “Karpoori Ji was one of the greatest advocates of backward classes who dedicated his life for their welfare. His life was a message. I pay my tribute to Karpoori Ji for enriching public life through his contributions,” President Murmu said.
The President also said that India’s ‘space journey’ will cross new milestones. “It was also the year when 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,” the President said.
The President also commended the state of the economy, which she said, was due to ‘farsighted’ planning. “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,” Murmu said.