“We Are Part of Chain Linking Dreams of Freedom Fighters to Future Generations”: President Murmu on Independence Day

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th August. In her address to the nation on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt greetings to citizens and praised the country’s progress while paying homage to freedom fighters.

She emphasized the importance of national unity, highlighting that the celebration of Independence Day is akin to a family festival for 1.4 billion Indians, both within the country and abroad.

Reflecting on the nation’s journey since gaining independence, President Murmu acknowledged the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle and urged citizens to remember the pain of partition, which is now marked annually as Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. She emphasized that the tragedy of partition remains a vital part of the nation’s history and identity.

President Murmu lauded India’s democratic strength, pointing to the historic general elections held this year, where nearly 97 crore voters participated, marking the largest electoral process in history. She congratulated the Election Commission of India for the smooth conduct of the elections, describing it as a resounding vote for democracy.

The President also spotlighted India’s rapid economic growth, noting the country’s average annual growth rate of 8 percent between 2021 and 2024. She highlighted the significant reduction in poverty, with ongoing efforts such as the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana continuing to support 80 crore citizens with free ration. President Murmu expressed pride in India’s position as the fifth-largest economy, forecasting that the country is on track to become one of the top three global economies.

On the global stage, President Murmu praised India’s G20 Presidency, underlining the nation’s role as a voice for the Global South and its commitment to expanding peace and prosperity worldwide.

Social justice and gender equality featured prominently in her address, with the President mentioning initiatives like PM-SURAJ for marginalized communities and PM-JANMAN for tribal welfare. She also spoke about the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, evidenced by a significant increase in budget allocations and improvements in the sex ratio at birth.

Looking to the future, President Murmu said the nation’s progress would be shaped by the youth, as she highlighted the National Education Policy’s impact and initiatives to boost skilling, employment, and technology sectors. She also touched on the upcoming Gaganyaan Mission, which will send Indian astronauts into space.

The President concluded by expressing gratitude to the Armed Forces, police, judiciary, and civil servants for their service to the nation, and extended her greetings to the Indian diaspora, calling them proud representatives of India’s culture and heritage.

She wished all citizens a Happy Independence Day and called for continued unity and progress.