The Vision Of India

Respected Shri Narayananji, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Deputy PrimeMinister, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Members of the Union Council ofMinisters, Governors, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speakerof Lok Sabha, Members of Parliament, Excellencies, friends and children - my greetings toall of you. When I see in front of me, the distinguished dignitaries including a number ofsenior diplomats representing their countries and other eminent personalities, a beautifulThiagarajaswamigal's Keerthana in Sri Raga echoes from my heart - "EndaroMahaanubhavalu andhariggi vandanamulu" which means, "I salute all the greatnoble hearted human beings".

I thank the Members of Parliament and State Legislatures for having elected me. Theendorsement I have received from the nation, giving me the responsibility to realize ourshared dream of India with prosperity, harmony and strength is really overwhelming. Tenillustrious personages have adorned this office of the President and contributed to thenation building with their outstanding personal qualities. I salute them all. While Iassume the office of the President of Republic of India with humility and gratefullyrecognizing the immense trust, the people of the country and the political system havereposed in me, I promise to endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of our people.

Indian civilizational heritage is built on universal spirit. India always stood forfriendship and extends warm hands to the whole world.

We have made significant achievements in the last fifty years in food production,health sector, higher education, media and mass communication, industrial infrastructure,information technology, science and technology and defence. Our nation is endowed withnatural resources, vibrant people and traditional value system. In spite of theseresources, a number of our people are below the poverty line, undernourished and lackprimary education itself. Our aim is to empower them to be poverty free, healthy andliterate. A country needs to have the characteristics as defined in Thirukkural, composedover 2000 years ago : Pini inmai Selvam Vilaivinbam Emam Aniyenba Nattirkiv vainthu

That is, "the important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free;wealth; high productivity; harmonious living and strong defence". All our effortsshould be focused towards building these five elements at various levels in a coherent andin an integrated manner. I am convinced that our nation with a strong, vibrant and billionplus population can contribute to realize these elements.

Today our country is facing challenges such as cross border terrorism, certain internalconflicts and un-employment. To face these challenges, there must be a vision to ensurefocused action of one billion citizens of this great country with varied capabilities.What can be that vision? It can be none other than transforming India into a 'DevelopedNation'. Can government alone achieve this Vision? Now, we need a movement in the country.This is the time to ignite the minds of the people for this movement. We will work for it.We cannot emerge as a developed nation if we do not learn to transact with speed. I recallthe saintly poet Kabir's wisdom to us: 'Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar Aaj Kare So Ab' that means,"What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today do itnow".

This vision of developed nation needs to be achieved with Parliamentary democracy,which is the core of our governance system. The basic structure of our Constitution hasstood the test of time. I am confident that it will continue to be responsive to thedemands of changing situations. The first and foremost task is to respect and uphold theconstitutional processes, in the best interest of our people and our nation, without fearor favour and with fairness and firmness. India is a Union of States based on theframework of co-operative federalism. Within the co-operative frame-work, there is also arequirement to develop competitive strengths for the States so that they can excel at thenational level and the global level. Competitiveness helps in ensuring economic andmanagerial efficiency and to be creative to meet new challenges. These are essential tosurvive and prosper in a fast changing world of today. In addition, in order to strengthendemocratic processes and institution, we should all truly strive for substantivedecentralization.

I wish to emphasize my unflinching commitment to the principle of secularism, which isthe corner stone of our nationhood and which is the key feature of our civilisationalstrength. During the last one year I met a number of spiritual leaders of all religions.They all echoed one message, that is, unity of minds and hearts of our people will happenand we will see the golden age of our country, very soon. I would like to endeavour towork for bringing about unity of minds among the divergent traditions of our country.

Along with speedy development aimed at elimination of poverty and un-employment,national security has to be recognized by every Indian as a national priority. Indeed,making India strong and self reliant - economically, socially and militarily - is ourforemost duty to our motherland and to ourselves and to our future generations.

When the child is empowered by the parents, at various phases of growth, the childtransforms into a responsible citizen. When the teacher is empowered with knowledge andexperience, good young human beings with value systems take shape. When individual or ateam is empowered with technology, transformation to higher potential for achievement isassured. When the leader of any institution empowers his or her people, leaders are bornwho can change the nation in multiple areas. When the women are empowered, society withstability gets assured. When the political leaders of the nation empower the peoplethrough visionary policies, the prosperity of the nation is certain. The medium fortransformation to developed India is the empowerment at various levels with power ofknowledge. A roadmap for realizing this vision of developed India is in front of us.

At this juncture, I recall a beautiful thought of Dr. G.G. Swell, an eminent leaderfrom North East: "We must have a mental infrastructure. Mental infrastructure meanssincerity of purpose, of vision, of purity of heart and mind".

When I travel across our nation, when I hear the sound of waves of the three seasaround the shores of my country, when I experience the breeze of wind from the mightyHimalayas, when I see the bio-diversity of North-East and our islands and when I feel thewarmth from the western desert, I hear the voice of the youth " When can I sing thesong of India?". What can be the answer?. I have so far interacted with over 50,000school children during the past one year. I would like to share with you my answer to theurge of these children. If youth have to sing the song of India, India should become adeveloped country which is free from poverty, illiteracy and un-employment and is buoyantwith economic prosperity, national security and internal harmony. To create thistransformation we all have to resolve ourselves to work and sweat for the nationaldevelopment. I would like to share the song of youth, which I normally recite with theschool children, here at this juncture. I am very happy to see the children present hererepresenting the future generation. Through them I would like to convey the song of youthto all children of our country and the people.

As a young citizen of India, armed with technology, knowledge and love for my nation, Irealize, small aim is a crime.

I will work and sweat for a great vision, the vision of transforming India into adeveloped nation, powered by economic strength with value system

I am one of the citizens of the billion; Only the vision will ignite the billion souls.

It has entered into me ; The ignited soul compared to any resource is the most powerfulresource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth.

I will keep the lamp of knowledge burning to achieve the vision - Developed India

If we work and sweat for the great vision with ignited minds, the transformationleading to the birth of vibrant developed India will happen. This song, when sung in ourown beautiful languages will unite our minds for action.

I pray the Almighty: "May the divine peace with beauty enter into our people;Happiness and good health blossom in our bodies, minds and souls".

JAI HIND