Maravi

India marks 62 years of independence

India marks 62 years of independence
Written by Agness Changala
Sunday, August 16, 2009 4:09:54 PM

INDIAN President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has said social services for the people can be delivered smoothly only if there is an effective governance system that is less cumbersome but more transparent and accountable.

In a message to mark India’s 62nd Independence Day read for her by Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar yesterday, Patil said there was outrage when money meant for welfare schemes was pilfered out by corrupt practices.

“The flagship programmes of the government are comprehensive ranging from health to education, employment to expanding social and economic infrastructure and their implementation has to be at optimal levels for an impact to be made on the lives of the people,” she said.

Patil said the emphasis on reform of governance for effective delivery of public services was critical to change the lives of the people.

“Their work is a public service, commitment, dedication and honesty should be the hallmark of their work,” Patil said.

She said the uninterrupted democratic credentials and steady economic progress achieved due to hard work had fortified India’s stature.

“Even in the face of the global slowdown, which demands that we manage the economy to counter its effects, we must work to continue our upward trajectory. We have a large domestic market and inherent strengths to drive the economy forward,” Patil said.

She said as her government focused on areas of proven strength and building infrastructure throughout the country and rural development, it should be their incessant endeavor to expand into new areas of growth.

Patil said India’s narrative growth should be a story of opportunity and a life of dignity for all.

“Social empowerment requires considerable amount of work and, hence, must occupy centre stage in our national consciousness,” she said. “There are the weaker and the vulnerable sections of society who are not full partners of development process and remain on the sidelines.”

Patil said such sections of society needed too be drawn into the national mainstream, saying they needed to be given access to education, health and skills building as tools of empowerment.

She said this would equip them with abilities and capabilities and generate confidence about their future prospects and give them a sense of control over their destinies.

Patil said India sought to resolve differences rather than widen them and also to bring people together rather than divide them.

She condemned terrorism saying it was against the tenets of every religion and faith.

“It must be defended in the interest of the collective goal of humankind to build peaceful societies and a peaceful world,” she said.

And Patil said the voice of every citizen was important and the principle of inclusiveness integral to democracy.

“The effort of spreading to over five phases, the effort was to reach out to every voter, even in the remotest parts of the country. That is why even where there was only one voter, arrangements were made for the casting of that one vote,” she said.

Patil said the electoral exercise re-affirmed the strong faith of the people across the country in a democracy.

“It once again proved that the world’s largest democracy is, indeed, a mature democracy, we can be proud that we have carried forward the torch of democracy in a manner that today the concept of democracy and India are inseparable,” Patil said.

She further said among the things that her government would deal with was to take necessary measures to handle the H1N1 influenza.

“Citizens have to come forward to contribute to the government’s efforts in these areas and in other development initiatives through public-private partnerships, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups or self help groups,” she said.

Patil also said an enlightened citizenry conscious of its civic duties and social responsibilities, maintaining discipline, following good habits particularly about hygiene and cleanliness, respectful towards nature’s bounty and sensitive to environmental concerns was the greatest asset of a nation.

Labels: ASHOK KUMAR, INDEPENDENCE, INDIA, PRATIBHA DEVISINGH

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