New Delhi/Nagpur: Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, President Pranab Mukherjee today said peace cannot be discussed under a “shower of bullets”. In his address to the nation, President Mukherjee said that there is ‘no good or bad terrorism.’
Below are the highlights of his speech:
On the eve of 67th Republic Day, I extend my warm greetings to all of you.
Special greetings to members of forces, paramilitary forces.
Tribute to soldiers who paid sacrifice.
Year 2015 has bee a year of challenges, global economy remains subdued.
In such troubled environment, no one nation could be an oasis of growth.
India’s economy also had to face the blowback.
Indian rupee was under pressure, manufacturing sector yet to recover, large parts of India were affected by severe drought.
We can call out challenges because we are aware of them.
There is great virtue in acknowledging problems. India is solving these problems.
Despite occasional setbacks, India’s performance this year has been strong.
Aadhaar reach of 96 crore people is helping in direct transfer on benefits, plugging leakages and improving transparency.
19 crore bank accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yaojana is the single biggest scheme.
There will be, amongst us, occasional doubters and baiters.
Let us continue to complain; demand; rebel; this is a virtue of democracy.
Let us applaud what our democracy has achieved.
Our finest inheritance, institutions of democracy, ensure to all citizens justice, equality, and gender and economic equity.
We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance.
It is the duty of lawmakers that legislation is adapted after debate.
Delays in decision-making can only harm the progress of development.
The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war into its most barbaric manifestation.
Terrorism is inspired by insane objectives, motivated by bottomless depths of hatred, instigated by puppeteers.
They have invested heavily in havoc through the mass murder of innocents.
There is no good or bad terrorism; it is pure evil.
Dialogue is the civilized way to bridge disagreement; ideally, should be a continual engagement.
We cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets
We must resolve complex edges of our geo-political inheritance with neighbours through peaceful dialogue
Human beings are best defined by a humane spirit; not their worst instincts
Each of us has the right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life in India
This right has been breached, especially in our cities, where pollution has reached alarming levels
An eco-system that fosters critical thinking and makes teaching intellectually stimulating is necessary
The generational change has happened; youth have moved centre-stage to take charge.
