In Independence Day Eve Address, President Says ’Intolerance Is Betrayal of Democracy’

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New Delhi, August 14, 2014: President Pranab Mukherjee today said intolerance and violence is betrayal of the letter and spirit of democracy. "We have to reject extremism in all its manifestations. We must defend our secular fabric with vigour," the President said, addressing the nation ahead of Independence Day.

He also said the nation has to be placed above parties and differences.

 

He also said the focus of India’s policies should go from alleviation of poverty to elimination of poverty. "Poverty is not a mere statistic, it has a face. The poor cannot and will not wait for another generation. The benefits of economic development must percolate down to the poorest of poor," he added.

"Good governance is critically dependent on rule of law, transparency & inclusiveness," he said.

Here are the highlights from his speech:
*I convey greetings to Indians in the country and across the world.

*India demands creative thinking that enables fast track development and social harmony.

*The nation has to be placed before parties and differences.

*Real solution lies in reinventing and restoring existing institutions for good governance.

*Fellow citizens, the economy is the material part of development. Education is the essential part of it.

*The poor cannot and will not wait for another generation.

*Benefits of economic development must percolate down to the poorest of poor.

*The focus of policies has to shift from alleviation of poverty to elimination of poverty.

*The stage is now set for our economy to move to a high growth trajectory.

*The prime minister’s call to honor the memory of Mahatma Gandhi to make India a clean country by 2019 is commendable.

*By the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, we would have achieved 80 percent literacy.

*Why can’t we keep our environment free of filth?

*The recent voter turnout shows vitality of democracy.

*We have to reject extremism in all its manifestation.

*We must defend our secular fabric with vigour.

*Good governance is critically dependent on rule of law, transparency & inclusiveness.

*Intolerance and violence is a betrayal of democracy.

*Stagnant minds create immobile systems which become roadblocks to growth.