President Ram Nath Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday addressed the nation on the eve of 72nd Independence Day. In his speech, President Ram Nath Kovind said that August 15 is a sacred day for every Indian.
Stressing on the need for unity among the countrymen, President Kovind said that the people can eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequality if they join hands with each other.
“Together we can help every citizen in our country. Together we can conserve our forests and natural heritage, safeguard our monuments for future generations, renew our rural and urban habitats. Together, we can eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequality,” President Kovind said.
President Kovind further said that every citizen of India who does his or her duty sincerely, fulfils a personal and professional obligation and keeps to a given word is, at a fundamental level, upholding the principles of our freedom struggle.
Underlining the significance of the women in the society, President kovind said that they should have the freedom to choose their path, whether they want to use their skills in the development of house, in the workforce, or in educational institutions.
“They could do this as sheet-anchors of our families or as absolutely critical entrants to our institutions of higher learning and our workforce. The choice is theirs; as a society we must ensure that they have the right to exercise that choice,” he added.
Praising India’s armed forces, President Kovind pointed out that they stand guard valiantly on our borders, up in the cruel climate of the mountains or under the blazing sun, or in the skies or at sea.
“They are upholding our freedom by ensuring security from external threats,” he added.
Recalling the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters, President Kovind said that Independence of India was a result of the sacrifice of freedom fighters and ancestors.
“15 August is sacred for every Indian. Our tricolour is a representation of our nation. Independence of India was a result of the sacrifice of freedom fighters and ancestors,” President Kovind said.
Highlights of President Kovind's address:
# With those words, I once again wish you and your families all the best for Independence Day and best wishes for a bright future: President Kovind
# We can and we must do this together. The government has a leading role but not the sole role. Let us use the government’s programmes and projects to further our own efforts. Let us make that sense of ownership our motivation : President Kovind
# Together we can help every citizen in our country. Together we can conserve our forests and natural heritage, safeguard our monuments for future generations, renew our rural and urban habitats. Together, we can eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequality: President Kovind
# This is empathy and fraternity in action. This is the Indian spirit. This is India, because India belongs to the people of India – not just to the Government: President Kovind
# The outcome of education is not merely a degree or a diploma, but the commitment to help improve the life of another in a way that is sustainable: President Kovind
# I am gratified by the idealism and the passion of our young people. There is a spirit to achieve something for one-self, for one’s family, for wider society and for our country. This is the most moral education we can wish for: President Kovind
# We are Gandhiji’s children. We dream for all humanity, even when we walk alone : President Kovind
# We demonstrate our concern by providing assistance to many African countries, taking initiatives on climate change, contributing to UN Peacekeeping Operations, helping neighbouring countries affected by natural disasters: President Kovind
# Our Indianness is not for us alone. It is part of what our country and our civilisation bring to the global stage. In the spirit of Gandhiji and the spirit of India, we believe in the age-old ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the “World is one Family”: President Kovind
# This Independence Day, so close to the 150th anniversary commemoration of Gandhiji, let each of us adapt his ideas and maxims, in whatever manner we can in our everyday work and conduct. I can think of no better way to celebrate our freedom: President Kovind
# Perhaps Gandhiji’s most noble mantra was to point out that the power of ahimsa is far greater than the power of himsa.The power to stay your hand is far greater than the power to strike with your hand and himsa has no place in the society: President Kovind
# To Gandhiji, Indian civilisation was defined by open windows and not closed doors. This was his concept of swadeshi and it is still relevant to us as we engage with the world – whether for our economy, health, education and social aspirations, or policy choices: President Kovind
# Gandhiji personally led the drive for swachhta or cleanliness. He linked the removal of dirt to an act of self-discipline and of promoting physical and mental health: President Kovind
# It is not always simple to understand Gandhiji. He refused to be restricted in his definition of politics and political activism, or even freedom: President Kovind
# As President of India, I have been fortunate to have travelled around the world. Everywhere, across continents, Gandhiji is mentioned, cherished and remembered as an icon for all humanity. He is the embodiment of India: President Kovind
# Independence Day is always special, but this year there is an unusual significance. On October 2, we will begin the 150th birthday commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji did not just lead our freedom struggle. He was and still is our moral compass: President Kovind
# Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is not being carried out by govt alone. It is a collaboration of public agencies and community groups and citizens who are keen to share, empathise and give back: President Kovind
# Gram Swaraj Abhiyan has been extended to 117 Aspirational Districts where, seven decades after Independence, we still have stark gaps in the development narrative: President Kovind
# Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is taking seven flagship programmes to the very doorstep of the poorest and the most deprived among our fellow citizens. These services include access to electricity, formal banking, welfare and insurance programmes, and immunisation: President Kovind
# After four years, we will be marking the 75th anniversary of Independence. In less than 30 years, our people will celebrate the 100th anniversary of India as a free nation: President Kovind
# We are at a pivotal moment. Let contentious issues and extraneous debates not distract us: President Kovind
# Universal access to electricity, the elimination of open defecation, the elimination of homelessness, the very elimination of extreme poverty is achievable and attainable : President Kovind
# I would argue that every Indian who does not jump the queue and respects the civic space and rights of those ahead in the line also lives up to the principles of our freedom struggle. It’s a very small gesture. Let us try and abide by it: President Kovind
# Every citizen of India who does his or her duty sincerely, fulfils a personal and professional obligation and keeps to a given word is, at a fundamental level, upholding the principles of our freedom struggle: President Kovind
# By building capacities for skilling and scholarship; for tech and entrepreneurship; for playing music and producing mobile apps, we are harnessing the unlimited human capital of our youth. In doing so, we live up to the principles of our freedom struggle: President Kovind
# As we take this process further, by facilitating credit for women-run enterprises and start-ups or by easier availability of LPG in millions of kitchens and millions of homes, we live up to the principles of our freedom struggle: President Kovind
# They could do this as sheet-anchors of our families or as absolutely critical entrants to our institutions of higher learning and our workforce. The choice is theirs; as a society we must ensure that they have the right to exercise that choice: President Kovind
# This is true whether we see them as mothers, sisters, daughters or simply as women who are entitled to a life of their choosing – and deserving of the opportunity and the security to fulfil their potential: President Kovind
# Women have a special significance in our society. They should have the freedom to choose their path, whether they want to use their skills in the development of house, in the workforce, or in educational institutions: President Kovind
# In doing this, they are upholding our civic freedom. As we improve their professional and personal conditions, we live up to the principles of our freedom struggle: President Kovind
# Our police and paramilitary forces take on a variety of challenges. In battling terrorism, in fighting crime and law and order disturbances, or even in helping ordinary citizens by holding their hands while they cross a flooded street: President Kovind
# Our Armed Forces stand guard valiantly on our borders, up in the cruel climate of the mountains or under the blazing sun, or in the skies or at sea. They are upholding our freedom by ensuring security from external threats : President Kovind
# As we assist our farmers by providing access to technology and other facilities for enhanced productivity and enhanced incomes, we live up to the principles of our freedom struggle: President Kovind
# Our farmers grow food for tens of thousands of fellow citizens whom they have not individually met and will never meet.They are upholding our freedom by ensuring food security and nutrition for our children: President Kovind
# Freedom is a constant and relentless endeavour. Even decades after 1947, each one of us can contribute in the manner of a freedom fighter. We can do so if we expand the frontiers of freedom and of opportunity for our fellow Indians and our beloved India: President Kovind
# If we define freedom in narrow, political terms, then August 15, 1947, marks a closure. It was the day the political struggle against an imperial power culminated in success & in our Independence Day. But freedom is a broader concept. It is not fixed and finite: President Kovind
# We are fortunate that we have inherited the legacy of such remarkable patriots. They left us with a free India, but they also left us with unfinished tasks for the development of our society, for the empowerment of the proverbial last person : President Kovind
# They came from all regions of the country, all sections of society. They could have compromised and settled for some personal benefit, but they did not. Their commitment to India – to a free, sovereign, plural and egalitarian India – was absolute: President Kovind
# Freedom came to our country on the Midnight of August 14-15, 1947. It was the result of years and decades and centuries of sacrifice and valour on the part of our ancestors and our revered freedom fighters. These were men and women of rare courage and foresight: President Kovind
# 15 August is sacred for every Indian. Our tricolour is a representation of our nation. Independence of India was a result of the sacrifice of freedom fighters and ancestors: President Kovind
# My greetings to you as we complete 71 years as an independent nation. Tomorrow we will commemorate our 72nd Independence Day. For every Indian, whether living at home or anywhere else in the world: President Kovind
