Must Guard Ourselves Against Forces Of Intolerance, Unreason, Says President Mukherjee

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.
  
  
   

 

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