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Operation Sindoor showcased India's steely resolve and self-reliance in defence, says President Murmu

The president said that with 6.5 per cent GDP growth and world-leading digital payment adoption, India is charting a confident path toward becoming a developed economy On the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation, extending her heartfelt greetings to all citizens and reflecting on India's journey since independence. President Murmu paid tribute to the sacrifices of freedom fighters, celebrated the country's democratic values, highlighted achievements in economy, technology, defence and social empowerment and called for unity, integrity and environmental stewardship. Leading her remarks with the nation's decisive response to terrorism, she reaffirmed India's resolve to protect its sovereignty while advancing towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Sindoor: A decisive response 'This year we had to face the scourge of terrorism. Killing innocent citizens on holiday in Kashmir was cowardly and utterly inhuman,' President Murmu said. She added, 'India responded in a decisive manner and with steely resolve. Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe, Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity's fight against terrorism.' 'In our response, what was most noticeable was our unity, which is also the most befitting response to those who wanted to divide us,' the President noted. 'Our unity was on display also in the multi-party delegations of the Members of Parliament that reached out to various nations to explain India's position. The world has taken note of India's stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.' 'Operation Sindoor was also a test case of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector,' she said. 'The outcome has proved that we are on the right path. Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements. These are landmark achievements in India's defence history since Independence.' Remembering struggle and sacrifice 'The 15th of August is a date etched in our collective memory. During the long years of colonial rule, generations of Indians dreamt of the day of independence,' the president said. She recalled, 'Men and women, old and young, from all parts of the country, yearned to throw away the yoke of foreign rule. Their struggle was marked by robust optimism, which has continued to propel our progress since Independence too. As we salute the tricolour tomorrow, we will also be paying homage to the memory of all freedom fighters whose sacrifices won India Independence on the 15th of August, 78 years ago.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'As we look back on the past, we must not forget the pain inflicted by the Partition of the country,' President Murmu added. 'Today we observed Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. Terrible violence was witnessed, and millions were forced to relocate due to Partition. Today, we pay tributes to the victims of the follies of history.' Democracy and constitutional values 'After regaining our freedom, we also became a democracy with universal adult franchise,' the President said. 'The transition was a natural reflection of our ancient democratic ethos. India had the oldest republics in the world. It is rightly acknowledged as the mother of democracy. When we adopted the Constitution, it provided the edifice of democracy. We built democratic institutions that strengthened the practice of democracy. We prize our Constitution and our democracy above everything else.' She stressed, 'Our Constitution contains four values as the four pillars upholding our democracy. They are – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. These are our civilisational principles that we re-discovered during the Freedom Struggle. At the heart of them all, I believe, is the notion of human dignity. Every human being is equal, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Everyone should have equal access to healthcare and education. Everyone should have equal opportunity. Those who had been traditionally at a disadvantage needed to be given a helping hand.' Economic growth and social welfare 'After the long years of foreign rule, India was in utter poverty at the time of Independence,' President Murmu said. 'But in the 78 years since then, we have made extraordinary progress in all fields. India is well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence.' 'With a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent in the last fiscal, India is the fastest growing among the major economies in the world,' she pointed out. 'Even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead. Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health. This is as much due to carefully calibrated reforms and sagacious economic management as due to the hard work and dedication of our workers and farmers.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added, 'A large number of people have been pulled out of poverty through good governance… Income inequality is reducing. Regional disparities are also disappearing. The States and regions, earlier known for weaker economic performance, are now showing their true potential and catching up with the front-runners.' Infrastructure and connectivity 'Our business leaders, small and medium industries and traders have always exhibited a can-do spirit,' the president said. 'That is so visible when it comes to infrastructure development over the past decade. We have expanded and strengthened the National Highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The Railways too have innovated, introducing new types of trains and coaches equipped with latest technologies. The inauguration of the rail link in Kashmir valley is a major accomplishment. Rail connectivity with the valley will boost trade and tourism in the region and open new economic possibilities. This engineering marvel at Kashmir is a historic milestone for our country.' Urban development and basic amenities 'The country is rapidly urbanising. Hence, the Government has been paying special attention to improve the conditions of the cities,' President Murmu said. 'The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, or AMRUT, has ensured more and more households have access to a tap with the assured supply of water and a sewerage connection.' She added, 'The Government considers the basic amenities of life as rightful claims of the citizens. The Jal Jeevan Mission is making progress in providing tap water supply to rural households.' Healthcare revolution 'In the healthcare sector, we have been witnessing a paradigm shift with a variety of initiatives under Ayushman Bharat, the largest healthcare scheme of its kind in the world,' the President said. 'This scheme has already provided cover to more than 55 crore people. The government extended this benefit to all senior citizens of the age of 70 years and above, regardless of their income. As inequalities in access are removed, the poor and the lower middle-class also benefit from the best possible health-care facilities.' Digital transformation and AI mission 'In this digital age, it is apt that one sector in India that has seen the most dramatic advances is information technology,' she said. 'Nearly all villages have 4G mobile connectivity, and the remaining few thousands will be covered soon… More than half of the total number of digital transactions in the world take place in India.' She continued, 'Artificial intelligence is the next stage of technological advancement and has already entered our lives. The government has launched the India-AI mission to strengthen the country's AI capabilities… As we aspire to become a global-AI-hub by 2047, our focus will remain on making the best use of the advances in technology for the common people, to improve their lives by improving governance.' Swadeshi spirit 'Last week, on August 7, the country celebrated 'National Handloom Day' which honours our weavers and their products,' the President recalled. 'The idea of Swadeshi has been inspiring our national endeavours like Make-in-India initiative and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Let us resolve to buy and use Indian products.' Youth, women and social empowerment 'Our youth have finally found the right environment for the realisation of their dreams,' President Murmu said. 'Brimming with a new confidence, our youth are making a mark in sports and games. Chess, for example, is now dominated by India's youngsters like never before.' She added, 'Our daughters are our pride. They are breaching barriers in every field, including in the areas of defence and security… With 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', the empowerment of women is no longer a slogan but a reality.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'People belonging to a major segment of our society comprising Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and other communities are shedding the tag of the marginalised,' she said. 'The Government has been actively helping them to realise their social and economic aspirations with several initiatives.' Call for integrity and good governance 'We are moving ahead towards that future with sustained good governance, and zero tolerance for corruption,' the President said. 'Here I am reminded of an important statement by Mahatma Gandhi. He had noted, and I quote: 'Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy.' Let us pledge to realise Gandhiji's ideal and weed out corruption.' Environmental responsibility 'I would like to take this opportunity to urge all of you to do what you can, to protect the environment,' President Murmu urged. 'To respond to the challenge of climate change, we must also change. We must change our habits and our world-view. We must change our relationship with our land, rivers, mountains, and with flora and fauna. With contribution from all of us, we will leave behind a planet in which life will be flourishing in natural order.'