Page 9 - NIS English 1-15 September 24

President's Address to the Nation Nation

making it the largest electoral exercise humankind women’s empowerment. The budget allocation for
has ever witnessed. The Election Commission of India this purpose has more than tripled in the last decade.
should be congratulated for the smooth and flawless Their participation in the labour force has increased.
conduct of such a gigantic event. I thank all officials The most heartening development on this front has
and security personnel who braved the heat and helped been the significant improvement in the sex ratio at
electors. birth. A variety of special government schemes have
Fastest Growing Economy: From 2021 to 2024, India also been designed keeping the women at the centre.
has been among the fastest growing major economies, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is aimed at ensuring
with an average growth rate of 8 percent annually. This real empowerment of women. We must remember
has not only put more money in the hands of people, the words of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of our
it has also drastically reduced the number of people Constitution. He had rightly said, “We must make
living below the poverty line. As for those who continue our political democracy a social democracy as well.
to suffer from poverty, all efforts are being made not Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at
only to provide a helping hand to them, but also to bring the base of it social democracy.” The steady progress
them out of it. It is a matter of pride for all that India of political democracy testifies to the progress made
has become the fifth largest economy in the world, towards the consolidation of social democracy.
and we are also poised to become one of the top three Climate change: Climate change has become a
economies soon. This has been made possible only reality. It is all the more challenging for developing
by tireless hard work of farmers and workers, by the nations to change their economic paradigm. Yet, we
farsightedness of planners and wealth-creators, and have already made more progress in that direction
by the visionary leadership. than expected. India is proud to be at the forefront of
Self-reliance in agriculture: humankind’s battle to save the planet from the worst
Farmers, our Annadata, have ensured that agricultural effects of global warming.
production continues to beat expectations. With this, The country will reach new heights with the
they have contributed immensely to making India self- energy and enthusiasm of the youth: The
reliant in agriculture and feed our people. Infrastructure Amrit Kaal, the ongoing period of a quarter century
has received a boost in recent years. Strategic planning leading to the centenary of our Independence, is
and effective institutions have helped expand the going to be shaped by the youth of today. It is their
network of roads and highways, railways as well as energy and enthusiasm that will help the nation
ports. Considering the great potential of futuristic scale new heights. Cultivating the young minds and
technology, the Government has vigorously promoted a creating a new mindset that takes the best of the
range of sectors, such as semiconductors and Artificial traditions and the contemporary knowledge is our
Intelligence, while also creating an ideal ecosystem for priority. To harness their talent, the Government
startups which will propel their growth.. has come up with initiatives to facilitate skilling,
Social Justice: Social justice is a top priority of employment and other opportunities for them.
the Government, and it has taken a number of The Prime Minister’s package of five schemes for
unprecedented initiatives for the welfare of the employment and skilling will benefit 4.1 crore youth
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other over five years.
marginalised sections of society. Pradhan Mantri Unprecedented progress in space research:
Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan, In India, we view science and technology as part of
that is, PM-SURAJ, for example, aims to provide the quest for knowledge as well as instrument for
direct financial assistance to the people from the humanitarian progress. Our achievements in the
marginalised communities. The Pradhan Mantri field of digital applications, for example, are being
Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan or PM-JANMAN used as templates in other countries. In recent
has taken the form of a mass campaign. years, India has made unprecedented advances
Equality of women: In our society, women are in space exploration. Along with you all, I also
considered not only equal, but even more than equal. eagerly look forward to the launch of the
However, they have also suffered from traditional Gaganyaan Mission next year, which will take
prejudices. But I am glad to note that the Government a team of Indian astronauts into space
has given equal importance to women’s welfare and aboard India’s first human spaceflight.

New India Samachar September 1-15, 2024 7