New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said it was the "responsibility" of every citizen of India to do their "utmost to make Ambedkar's dreams come true".

Delivering the fifth Ambedkar Memorial Lecture on "Vision of India in 21st Century as envisaged by Dr. Ambedkar" here at Vigyan Bhavan, Mukherjee said: "Ambedkar's vision was of an India where the social system and economy would permit the full development of human potential and ensure a dignified existence for all our citizens."

"Each one of us has a responsibility to do our utmost to make Ambedkar's dreams come true. We must do everything possible to preserve and strengthen our democracy. We must engage in combined and committed efforts to overcome poverty and prejudice...," Mukherjee said.

At the same time, Mukherjee noted there was also need "to be constantly on the guard against divisive forces raising their heads in the country and address with utmost of speed the challenges of malnutrition, ignorance, unemployment and infrastructure".

"We must also ensure that untouchability or any form of disability based on caste, creed, religion or sex is not practised in any part of the country," he added.

The president said Ambedkar's message, work and life were a constant reminder of the outstanding constitution, strong democracy and effective, independent institutions inherited from the founding fathers of our nation.

"At the same time, it also reminds us of the distance we still need to travel in building an egalitarian society where there will be no distinction between man and man," he said.