New India must be egalitarian: Kovind
Says SCs, STs, OBCs should benefit
NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday lay down the markers for a New India, one that would be compassionate towards the disadvantaged and would not discriminate on the basis of gender or religion, as he pitched for a people-government partnership.
In his first address to the nation on the eve of the 71st Independence Day, Kovind, who was sworn in as India’s fourteenth President last month, hailed the government’s demonetisation decision, people’s support in the battle against corruption and the roll out of goods and services tax.
“New India must be a society rushing towards the future... A compassionate society where the traditionally disadvantaged, whether SCs, STs, or OBCs, are part of our national developmental process,” said Kovind, the second Dalit to be the President after KR Narayanan.
In the year 2022, the country would complete 75 years of Independence and “it is our national resolve to attain certain desired milestones for a New India by then”, he said.
In his 30-minute speech, Kovind lauded the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters as he specifically named Jawaharlal Nehru along with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Ashfaqullah Khan and BR Ambedkar, saying the generation that brought Independence was diverse.
The Congress had taken exception to President Kovind not mentioning Nehru in his maiden speech to Parliament.
I am confident that a strong partnership between citizens and the government will allow us to meet the goals of New India
RAM NATH KOVIND, President