Daijiworld Media Network: - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 25: Amid rising geopolitical tensions across several regions of the world, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said India is playing the role of a messenger of peace, stressing that global harmony is essential to safeguard the future of humanity.
Addressing the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the President spoke on a wide range of issues, including national security, women empowerment, economic growth, poverty alleviation, cultural unity and India’s civilisational values.
“In our tradition, we have always prayed for peace in the entire universe. The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace across the world,” President Murmu said. “At a time when many parts of the world are witnessing conflicts, India is spreading the message of peace,” she added.
At the same time, the President underlined India’s firm resolve to protect its national security, highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, under which terror infrastructure across the border was destroyed through precision strikes.
“Last year, our country carried out precision strikes against terror infrastructure. Terror centres were destroyed and many terrorists were eliminated,” she said, crediting India’s growing self-reliance in defence for the operation’s success.
Recalling her visits to the Siachen Base Camp and her experiences flying in Sukhoi and Rafale fighter jets and aboard the submarine INS Vaghsheer, President Murmu said people have complete faith in the preparedness of India’s armed forces. She noted that India’s advocacy for peace is backed by strength and confidence.
The President also highlighted the rise of ‘Nari Shakti’, describing women empowerment as central to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. She said the active participation of women is crucial for the country’s progress, noting their growing presence in self-help groups, Panchayati Raj institutions, defence services, space research, entrepreneurship and sports.
Over 10 crore women associated with self-help groups are strengthening the grassroots economy, she said, adding that women now account for nearly 46 per cent of representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, she said, will take women’s political empowerment to unprecedented levels.
President Murmu also spoke about India’s efforts to eradicate poverty, stating that millions of people have been lifted above the poverty line. She said the government remains committed to ensuring that no citizen slips back into poverty and that no one goes hungry, with welfare schemes currently benefiting around 81 crore people.
She emphasised inclusive development with special focus on tribal and marginalised communities, saying such efforts reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of ‘Sarvodaya’ or progress for all.
The President announced that the Constitution of India is now available in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, a step aimed at promoting “constitutional nationalism” and enabling citizens to engage with the document in their mother tongue.
Highlighting governance reforms, she said thousands of outdated rules have been repealed and compliance burdens reduced to make governance more citizen-centric. She also pointed to India’s global leadership in the digital economy, noting that more than half of the world’s digital transactions now take place in India.
President Murmu hailed India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy and said the country is on track to become the third-largest economy in the near future. She attributed this progress to structural reforms, the Goods and Services Tax, and the guiding principles of ‘Atmanirbharta’ and ‘Swadeshi’.
The President also referred to the celebrations marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, calling the song a powerful symbol of unity that transcends linguistic and regional boundaries.
“From north to south and east to west, our ancestors wove a fabric of cultural unity. Every effort to promote this spirit of oneness through ‘Vande Mataram’ is highly commendable,” she said.