President Droupadi Murmu on sunday addressed the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, highlighting the pillars of India’s democracy, the legacy of national icons, and the collective efforts of citizens in building a stronger nation.
She spoke about the Constitution’s ideals, the cultural and patriotic meaning of Vande Mataram, and the inspiration of netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The president further talked about the achievements of women, the contributions of farmers, tribal communities, workers, and youth, as well as India’s economic growth and reforms.
Here are the key quotes from her address:
On Constitution
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“The ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution define our republic. The framers of the Constitution have provided a strong foundation for the spirit of nationalism and the unity of the country through constitutional provisions.”
On Vande Mataram
“the great nationalist poet Subramanya Bharati composed the song “Vande Mataram Yenbom”, in the Tamil language, meaning “Let us chant Vande Mataram”, and connected the masses on an even larger scale with the spirit of Vande Mataram. Translations of this song in other Indian languages also became popular. sri Aurobindo translated this song into English. Vande Mataram, composed by the venerable Bankim chandra Chattopadhyay, is our lyrical national prayer.”
On Netaji
“Two days ago, on 23rd January, the nation paid its respectful tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. As 2021, Netaji’s Jayanti has been celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ so that the peopel, especially the youth, can draw inspiration from his indomitable patriotism. Netaji’s slogan ’Jai Hind’ is the declaration of our national pride…”
On women
“Our women are breaking traditional stereotypes and forging ahead. They are actively contributing to the overall development of the country. more than ten crore women associated with self-help groups are redefining the process of development. Women are making thier mark in every field,from agriculture to space,from self-employment to the armed forces. In the field of sports, our daughters have set new benchmarks globally. Last year in November, the daughters of India scripted a golden chapter in sporting history by winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and afterward the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. Last year, the final match of the Chess World Cup was played between two Indian women. These examples are a testament to the dominance of India’s daughters in the world.”
Digital Payments in India
the adoption of digital payments in India, even for everyday transactions like auto-rickshaw rides, has garnered international attention as a prosperous example of financial inclusion and technological advancement.
In December 2023, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) reported a record 472.63 crore (4.7263 billion) UPI transactions worth ₹18.23 lakh crore (approximately $21.89 billion USD) were processed in a single month.This demonstrates the widespread use and increasing value of digital payments across the country.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was a precision strike operation conducted by India against terrorist infrastructure in September 2023.
The operation, details of which remain largely classified, reportedly targeted locations across the Line of Control. While official statements have been limited, reports from The Hindu indicate that the strikes were in response to increased terrorist activity and aimed to dismantle launchpads and training camps. The Indian Army has not officially confirmed specific details of the operation beyond acknowledging actions taken to counter terrorism.
Indian armed Forces Modernization: The success of Operation sindoor was attributed to India’s growing self-reliance in defence production and modernization.
INS vikrant
INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned on September 2, 2022.
The INS Vikrant, built by Cochin Shipyards Limited (CSL), represents a important milestone in India’s defense capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign-built carriers. it is indeed capable of operating a variety of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and advanced helicopters. The carrier has a displacement of approximately 65,000 tons and a length of 262.5 meters.
INS Vaghsheer
INS Vaghsheer is a Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indian Navy, inducted on January 23, 2023.
The INS Vaghsheer, built under Project-75 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, is equipped with advanced features such as air-self-reliant propulsion (AIP) for extended underwater endurance. It is designed for a variety of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering.
Siachen Base Camp
The Siachen glacier is a strategically crucial high-altitude glacier located in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas.
The Indian Army maintains a permanent presence at the Siachen Base Camp, enduring extreme weather conditions and logistical challenges to safeguard India’s territorial integrity. The altitude and harsh climate pose significant risks to soldiers stationed there, including frostbite, altitude sickness, and avalanches. Reports from Livemint highlight the increasing challenges posed by climate change and glacial melt in the region.