New Delhi:
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.