President Murmu calls for collective efforts to build Viksit Bharat by 2047

New Delhi, Aug 14 (TNT): President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called upon citizens to work together with renewed commitment towards transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, saying the development and wellbeing of every Indian was the real objective of building Viksit Bharat.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, the President said the true meaning of freedom lay in ensuring that every citizen had opportunities to fulfil aspirations and contribute towards making India the foremost nation in the world.

She lauded the contribution of students, teachers, scientists, engineers, doctors, healthcare workers, farmers, workers, sportspersons, artists, entrepreneurs, civil servants, social workers and security personnel in nation-building.

She also praised the Indian diaspora and officials serving in Indian missions abroad for enhancing the country’s prestige.

Murmu said the country was moving towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, guided by the spirit of Antyodaya, with the objective of ensuring that the benefits of development reached every individual.

Recalling the freedom struggle, she paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B R Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other freedom fighters and social reformers who contributed to India’s freedom and subsequent progress.

She also observed August 14 as Vibhajan Vibheeshika Smriti Divas, remembering those who lost their lives or were displaced during Partition.

The President stressed the importance of people’s participation in democracy and said equality of status and opportunity and the dignity of the individual were among the cherished ideals of the Constitution.

She also called for equal access to timely justice, particularly for deprived sections of society.

Referring to India’s development over the past decade, Murmu highlighted rapid and inclusive development, the harmonisation of heritage with development and removal of longstanding obstacles to growth.

She said more than 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty, nearly 59 crore people had joined the banking system through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and over 32 crore of them were women.

She also cited free ration support for more than 80 crore people and healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat for 60 crore people.

The President highlighted India’s digital transformation, saying more than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in the country.

She also referred to the expansion of highways, waterways, railways and airways as drivers of new enterprises, employment and investment.

She said India remained the fastest-growing major economy despite global instability and stressed the importance of Atmanirbhar Bharat for economic progress and national security.

She also highlighted India’s efforts in renewable energy, environmental protection and global cooperation.

Calling for greater environmental responsibility, Murmu urged citizens to protect natural resources for future generations and referred to initiatives including ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).

The President highlighted the increasing participation of women in education, sports, entrepreneurship and leadership and noted that more than 10 crore women were members of Self Help Groups.
She also referred to the achievement of the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis and the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam providing for 33 per cent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.

On India’s youth, Murmu said 65 per cent of the country’s population was below the age of 35 and described young people as India’s most valuable asset.

She highlighted the growth of entrepreneurship, start-ups, sports and opportunities in emerging sectors.

The President also praised the Armed Forces and recalled the sacrifices of soldiers, referring to Kargil Vijay Diwas and Operation Sindoor.

She said the operation demonstrated the capability of the Armed Forces to act with precision against terrorism.

She said making India Naxal-free was a major achievement and noted the development taking place in regions previously affected by Left Wing Extremism.

She also highlighted India’s cultural heritage, including recent UNESCO World Heritage recognitions.

” Quoting Telugu poet Gurajada Apparao, the President said patriotism meant loving the country, fostering goodness and recognising that a nation was made up of its people, not merely its land”.

She expressed confidence that with people’s participation and government efforts, villages, towns and households across India would become healthier, happier and more prosperous, and called for collective efforts to transform Swatantra Bharat into Viksit Bharat.

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