New Delhi - Kovind says many lessons can be learnt from the 'invisible virus', insisting 'humanity can live in harmony with nature'.
Published: Sun 16 Aug 2020, 12:09 AM
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday issued a veiled warning to China on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day, while paying rich tributes to the Indian bravehearts who laid down their lives in the violent face-off between the forces of the two countries in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh.
"Their bravery has shown that if anyone tries to create disturbance, an appropriate answer will be given," asserted President Kovind.
He added, "The entire nation pays tribute to the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian has a feeling of gratitude towards each of their family members."
There were 20 Indian casualties and an unknown number of Chinese troops were also killed in the violent clash.
Of the various issues President Ram Nath Kovind touched upon on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day, two were of special significance -- The Galwan face off and Ram Mandir -- two events that dominated headlines, recently.
Referring to the recent 'Bhumi Pujan' of the Ram Temple that took place in Ayodhya on August 5, the President expressed satisfaction that the decades-long dispute was resolved amicably through judicial process.
He said, "The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process. All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony."
Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic also dominated the President's address.
The President praised the role of the corona warriors while saying that an "invisible virus has changed our lives".
"The nation is indebted to the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against Covid-19. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes," said President Kovind.
He also praised the government's role in providing free ration to crores of people during the pandemic, besides lauding the initiative to bring back scores of Indians stuck on foreign shores owing to the Covid-induced lockdown. He also praised the government's role in helping thousands of migrants reach their respective hometowns.
"By introducing the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana', the government has enabled crores of people to earn their livelihood, and mitigate the impact of job-loss, dislocation and disruption caused by the pandemic," said the President.
The President began his speech by remembering Mahatma Gandhi. "We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi became the guiding light of our freedom movement. His quest for equality and justice is the mantra for our Republic. I am glad to see the younger generations re-discover Gandhiji," he said.
"We have learnt some tough lessons in the year 2020," added President Kovind listing 4 of them that the year has taught.
He said that "the invisible virus" has demolished the illusion that human beings are the masters of nature.
"I believe, it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature. The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny." He added that the twenty-first century should be remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet.
The second lesson he said was perceived inequality. "Coronavirus does not recognise any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers." He suggested compassion and mutual help as an answer to that.
"The third lesson is about augmenting health infrastructure. Public hospitals and laboratories have been leading the fight against Covid-19. Public health services have helped the poor cope with the pandemic. In view of this, public health infrastructure needs to be expanded and strengthened," he said.
The fourth lesson the President said relates to science and technology. The pandemic, he said, has highlighted the need to accelerate developments in this area. "During the lockdown and subsequent unlocking, information and communication technology have emerged as an effective tool for governance, education, business, office work and social connect. It has helped meet the twin objectives of saving lives and resumption of activities," the President said.
He cited how the Central government, state government offices and even the judiciary have been relying on virtual tools to communicate. "Work-from-home has become the norm in many sectors. Technology has enabled certain establishments in government and private sectors to work overtime to keep the wheels of the economy running," the President said during his address to the nation.
The President said that these lessons will prove useful for humanity. He further said that the younger generation has learnt the lessons well, and he believes that the future of India is safe in their hands.
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