ANDALIB AKHTER / NEW DELHI
President of India Mrs Droupadi Murmu today endorsed the ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill introduced in Parliament promises to redefine the terms of good governance saying that ONOE plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, mitigate resource diversion, and reduce financial burden.
In her address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Murmu observed that reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision.
President Murmu said that the country has been witnessing concerted efforts to change many relics of a colonial mindset which has persisted among Indian people since 1947. She underlined that the decision to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam was amongst the most noteworthy of such efforts. She pointed out that the new criminal laws place the delivery of justice instead of punishment at the centre of the criminal justice system. She also said that the new laws grant top priority to countering crimes against women and children.
The President noted that the Constitution has become a living document because civic virtues have been part of people’s moral compass for millennia. She said it has guided the path of India’s progress for 75 years now. She expressed gratitude to Dr BR Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee, and other distinguished members of the Constituent Assembly for bequeathing the people with this document.
President Murmu highlighted that the Constituent Assembly had representatives from all parts and all communities of the country. She said it had 15 women, including stalwarts such as Sarojini Naidu, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kripalani, Hansaben Mehta and Malati Choudhury. She was happy to note that when women’s equality was only a distant ideal in many parts of the world, Indian women were actively contributing to shaping the destiny of the nation.
The President said Republic Day is a matter of collective joy and pride for all citizens. She stressed that in the last seventy-five years, India has been taking strides to regain its rightful place in the comity of nations. She said India was once known as a source of knowledge and wisdom among the oldest civilizations. President recalled the brave souls who made great sacrifices to free the motherland from the shackles of foreign rule. She was pleased to note that India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda this year. President Murmu added that it was the nation’s good fortune to have the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Babasaheb Ambedkar, who helped it rediscover its democratic ethos. She underscored that justice, liberty, equality and fraternity have always been part of India’s civilisational heritage.
President Murmu observed that in recent years, India’s economic growth rate has remained persistently high. This has created job opportunities for the youth and put more money in the hands of farmers and labourers. The President remarked that the bold and far-sighted economic reforms will sustain this trend in the years to come. She also said that inclusion is the cornerstone of India’s growth saga, distributing the fruits of developments as widely as possible. She added that initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, MUDRA, Stand-Up India and Atal Pension Yojana have been expanded to provide more people access to a variety of financial support schemes.
President Murmu further stated that every effort is being made to extend a helping hand to the marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana is making progress in reducing poverty among the SC communities by adding employment and income generation opportunities. There have been dedicated schemes aiming for the socio-economic development of ST communities, including Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). A Development and Welfare Board has been constituted for the De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities.
The president praised the way the government has used technology in the field of finance. She said that digital payment options and a direct benefit transfer system have promoted inclusion. She said that within a few years, the government has created a robust Digital Public Infrastructure that is among the best in the world. President Murmu further stated that the banking system has been in a healthy condition after a series of bold measures such as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
Touching upon the subject of India’s civilisational heritage, President Murmu highlighted that the ongoing Mahakumbh can be seen as an expression of the richness of that heritage. She highlighted that the Government has recognised Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit as classical languages to conserve India’s linguistic diversity. This category already includes Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
President Murmu also said that she is looking forward to the completion of India’s first Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar Gujarat. It is being developed next to an excavation site that shows evidence of human settlement from around 800 BCE.
On the subject of education, President Murmu said that the Government has increased its investment in education. She said that the last decade has transformed education, in terms of quality of learning, physical infrastructure and digital inclusion. She exuded pride that India has been scaling new heights in various branches of knowledge, particularly in science, along technology. She stated that India stands sixth in terms of intellectual property filings in the world. She also highlighted that India has consistently improved its ranking in the Global Innovation Index, moving from 48th position in 2020 to 39th in 2024.
President Murmu noted that India is also increasing its participation in cutting-edge research with a series of initiatives. She cited the National Quantum Mission as one such initiative. It aims to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in this new frontier of technology. The President said National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical System, is another initiative which plans to focus on several advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and cyber security.
President Murmu observed that the Genome India Project has been not only an exciting venture in exploring nature but also a defining moment in the history of science in India. Under its flagship programme, the genome sequencing of ten thousand Indians has been made available for further research only this month. President also lauded the Indian Space Research Organisation for taking giant leaps in space in recent years, including its successful Space Docking Experiment this month. India has now become the fourth country in the world to have this capability.
President Murmu underlined that India’s increasing confidence levels as a nation are also reflected in the arena of sports and games. She was pleased to note that Indian athletes made a mark in the Paris Olympic Games last year. In the Paralympic Games, India sent its largest-ever contingent, who came back with the nation’s best-ever performance. She said that the achievements in sports during 2024 were capped by D. Gukesh, who became the youngest World Chess Champion.
On climate change, the President mentioned two exemplary initiatives by India in this regard. At the global level, India is leading the mass movement called Mission Lifestyle for Environment. The Mission inspires individuals and communities to be more proactive in protecting and preserving the environment. President Murmu also spoke about the unique ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched on World Environment Day. She said that its target of planting 80 crore seedlings was achieved ahead of the deadline.