Ram Nath Kovind: Let contentious issues, extraneous debates not distract us

President Ram Nath Kovind today asserted that contentious issues and extraneous debates should not be allowed to distract us at a pivotal moment when the country is at the cusp of achieving many longawaited goalsIn his televised address to the nation on the eve of Indias 72nd Independence Day Kovind recalled Mahatma Gandhis most noble mantra on the power of ahinsanonviolence being far greater than the power of hinsa violence remarks that come against the backdrop of incidents of lynching and mob violence in some parts of the countryThe power to stay your hand is far greater than the power to strike with your hand and hinsa has no place in the societyTouching upon a range of issues the president also said women were entitled to a life of their choice and security to fulfil their potential amid concerns over their privacy and safetyWe are at a juncture in our history that is very different from any period we have so far experienced We are at the cusp of achieving many of our longawaited goalsUniversal access to electricity the elimination of open defecation the elimination of homelessness the very elimination of extreme poverty is achievable and attainable We are at a pivotal moment Let contentious issues and extraneous debates not distract us Kovind saidThe president said that every Indian who does not jump the queue and respects the civic space and rights of those ahead in the line lives up to the principles of the countrys freedom struggleIts a very small gesture Let us try and abide by it Kovind saidHighlighting the role of farmers in providing food security to fellow citizens and the contribution by the countrys armed and police forces in battling terrorism and ensuring law and order he said every Indian who does his or her job with sincerity and commitment is upholding the principles of our freedom struggleHe said the decisions the country takes today the foundations we lay the projects we undertake the social and economic investments we make today iquest whether for the immediate future or for the medium term iquest will determine where we standThe pace of change and development in our country is rapid and appreciable And as per our civilisational traditions it is driven by our people by civil society and by a partnership between citizen and government Its focus again in keeping with the essence of Indian thought is on a better life for the less fortunate the president notedStressing that women have a special role in the society he said the expansion of freedom in our country in many senses amounts to the expansion of freedom for women in our country This is true whether we see them as mothers sisters daughters or simply as women who are entitled to a life of their choosing iquest and deserving of the opportunity and the security to fulfil their potentialThe president said women could do this as sheetanchors of families or as absolutely critical entrants to institutions of higher learning and Indias workforceThe choice is theirs as a nation and as a society we must ensure that they have the right and the ability to exercise that choice the president saidKovind said the reality is that every Indian who does his or her job with sincerity and commitment who contributes to society by being true to a professional ethic be it the doctors ethic the nurses ethic the teachers ethic the public servants ethic the factory workers ethic the businesspersons ethic the ethic of those who have to care for ageing parents who brought them up with love and sacrifice iquesteach of these and many others are in their own way upholding the values of freedomHe said Independence Day is always special but this year there is an unusual significance attached to it as in a few weeks on October 2 India will begin the commemoration of the 150th birthday of Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi Everywhere across continents Gandhiji is mentioned cherished and remembered as an icon for all humanity He is the embodiment of India the president saidKovind said Gandhi spoke of swadeshi with an uncommon zeal and to him Indian civilisation was defined by open windows and not closed doorsThis was his concept of swadeshi and it is still relevant to us as we engage with the world iquest whether for our economy our health education and social aspirations or our policy choices the president said and asked all to adapt Gandhis ideas and maxim to everydays work to celebrate our freedom and IndiannessHe said this Indianness is not for us alone It is part of what our country and our civilisation bring to the global stageKovind said 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 sustainableThis is empathy and fraternity in action This is the Indian spirit This is India because India belongs to the people of India iquest not just to the government he addedCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and 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