Call it a warning of an appeal, the President in his address to the nation on the eve of 65th Republic Day told the countrymen not to let India down. The address has come in the background of many notable events that shaped during the last year. These events brought into focus our commitment to democracy. Going through variegated experiences, the democratic dispensation in a country of heterogeneity like India has flowered further by revitalising its institutions. It has grown into something beautiful and grand that bestows dignity and primacy to the individuals as citizens of the country. At times our democracy turns turbulent. Our parliament sees uproars and forceful expression of views and opinions. This all is grist to democratic machine and it makes it more vibrant and productive. The President said that it did not matter much who wins and who loses in elections. But whosoever wins has to make a commitment to the stability of the nation, to honesty and to nation’s development. Obviously this in short and succinct words is the roadmap which all mainstream national political parties are required to keep before them.
Referring to the economic state, the President was hopeful that after going through a period of recession owing not always to local reasons but because of overall situation on global level, the country has begun to turn round. Our agricultural growth for the first half of 2013 has shown and increase of 3.6 per cent and rural economy has also shown comfortable improvement.
The President emphasized that what he feared and did not like was a fractured government because the fractured government sends in whimsical leaders. Such governments cannot concentrate their full attention on the development of the country. They get bogged with very small and mundane matters and the country cannot afford to wait and waste time. He hoped that the people with good sense and understanding of the problems that pose challenge to them will not opt for a fractured government. Without making any specific reference to persons or organizations, the President said that it is unfortunate that political actors sometimes lose the sight of wider and vital national interests and become either cynical or whimsical and thus pose a challenge to the integrity of the country. In other words he cautioned the nation that it has come of age in regard to political decisions and it has to realise its responsibility when electing representatives to the parliament of the legislative assemblies. The President made a pointed reference that there were mavericks who questioned the integrity of our armed forces. The country has no place for such diseased minds. It needs to be said that our army is the finest in the world that has upheld the glorious tradition of a disciplined and dedicated army. The President is constitutionally the Supreme Commander of The Armed Forces.
The President sounded a note of hope and optimism that the India that was in making or the India about which her youth are dreaming will be the most beautiful country to live in. He therefore told the nation to give the youth the freedom for making innovative perceptions and contribution to the idea of new India. Half of our population is below 35 years of age. With this immense manpower at our disposal there is no reason why India cannot be the country we are dreaming about. The President minced no words in castigating communal and terrorist elements trying their best to make mischief. They will not succeed and they will not be given any quarter. Emphasizing the importance of the year 2014, the President said this has to be the year of resurgence. Our country has to re-emerge as a vibrant developing economy that has a definite goal of development to achieve. We cannot look back and we cannot ignore the need of advancement of science and technology. The President frankly admitted that we need to make some introspection and without depending on others we need to identify the mistakes that we committed and how we could disengage ourselves from those mistakes. The President reiterated that our educational standards had fallen. Why did it happen when our country has the tradition of maintaining very high level of education? This weakness needs to be removed and we have to make our rightful place among the countries of the world that lead in higher and professional education. Our youth has tremendous potential and we need to provide space for the development of the potential in the broader interests of the country.
In an indirect reference to the contradictions that we see today rampant in our policy, the President said that a vibrant and growing democracy welcomes difference of opinion and debate and discussion. These are the lungs through which the body of democracy breathes. But difference of opinion should not become a matter of acrimony and hatred. The nation will become weak by carrying the argument to low levels. It will be reminded that in recent days we have found unhealthy trends making way into our policy. Politics has degenerated into personal vendetta and nothing can be more harmful to the interests of the nation. We need to make sure that democratic institutions that have been built with great effort are not weakened or eroded. The President said that the people of India never betrayed democracy. It was a trust they were holding for future generations of the country. Undoubtedly it was a reference to those whom we find advocating that Indian democracy has failed and they are out to denigrate our institutions.
The President has made a subtle but very meaningful address and it is the duty of the nation to try to understand the underlying meaning of each word. The address is an advice, guidance, a warning and an appeal all combined. We should consider ourselves fortunate to have such a wise and seasoned person like Shri Pranab Mukherjee as our President.
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