India faced 'expansionist move' on its borders but valiant soldiers foiled it: Prez

Hails Indian Covid vaccine, farm laws

New Delhi: In an oblique reference to China over the border standoff in Ladakh, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said India faced 'an expansionist move' on its borders, but the country's valiant soldiers foiled it.

'The past year was a time of adversity, and it came from many fronts. We faced an expansionist move on our borders but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives,' the President said in his address to the nation on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day.

He was indirectly referring to the Galwan valley incident.

'The nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers. Though we reiterate our commitment to peace, our defence forces – Army, Air Force and Navy – are adequately mobilized in a well-coordinated move to thwart any attempt to undermine our security. Our national interest will be protected at all costs. We have also ensured a widespread understanding in the international community of India's firm and principled stand,' the President said.

He said India is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world. 'During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part of the world. The manner in which India got the overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as a non-permanent member in the Security Council this year is indicative of that influence,' the President said.

'The quality of our engagement with leaders across the world has enhanced manifold. India with its vibrant democracy has rightfully earned its respect as a responsible and trustworthy nation,' he added.

The President said India's effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic wouldn't have been possible without our Constitutional value of 'Fraternity'. Apart from the pandemic, President Kovind also made mention of the country's farmers, scientists, armed forces, policies of the central government and the Indian diaspora abroad.

While spelling out the importance of Constitutional values, President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered icons such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose who made invaluable contributions to the freedom struggle.

"Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity are perennial principles of our philosophy of life. They come to us from the dawn of this civilisation through an unbroken chain. It is, of course, the task of every generation to seek out the meaning of these values for its times," President Kovind said.

'Farmers, soldiers and scientists deserve special appreciation'

Indian farmers found special mention in the President's Republic Day address. "Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made our vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products," President Kovind said adding that they sustained agricultural production despite adversities of nature.

"Just as our hardworking farmers ensure food security for the country, the brave soldiers of the armed forces ensure security of our national boundaries amid severest conditions," President Ram Nath Kovind said.

He went on to add, "Our scientists have been working day and night for decoding the Coronavirus and they have succeeded in developing the vaccine in record time.With this accomplishment, our scientists have added a glorious chapter of contribution to the well-being of humanity. Our scientists, along with doctors, administrators and people from other walks of life, have made major contribution in containing the virus and keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compared to that in developed countries."

The President of India conveyed his condolences to the families who lost a loved one to Covid-19. He also said, "I am thinking here of doctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare administrators and sanitation workers who put their own lives at risk to care for Covid-19 patients. Some of them even lost their lives."

Complementing the Election Commission for conducting safe elections in Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir (DDC polls), President Kovind went on to add that teachers quickly adopted new technology and ensured that there was no break in education in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Quoting poet Maithili Sharan Gupt, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "It is the benevolent whose glory lives on in songs eternal, It is the generous whom the world reveres forever, Whose spirit of oneness fills the boundless universe, They truly are human who die for fellow beings."

In addition, he said The 'National Education Policy 2020' will lay the foundation of a New India which aspires to emerge as a knowledge hub on the international stage.

Referring to India's election to the United Nations Security Council, President Kovind said, "India is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world. During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part of the world. The manner in which India got overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as non-permanent member in the Security Council this year is indicative of that influence."

Touching on the issue of equality, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "Equality is the watchword for the great project of our Republic."

"Social equality warrants dignity for each one of us, villagers, women, weaker sections of our society, namely, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Divyang-jan and the elderly people. Economic equality entails equal opportunity for all and handholding for the downtrodden," he went on to add.

President Kovind also praised the Indian Diaspora abroad in his Republic Day address. "As we are set to celebrate the anniversary of our Republic, I am thinking of our brothers and sisters abroad. Our diaspora is our pride. Indians abroad have succeeded in different walks of life, some rising to high levels of political leadership, some contributing to science, arts, academics, civil society and business, each bringing laurels to their new homelands and also to India."

"Republic Day greetings to you from the land of your ancestors! My greetings to the members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces and the police who usually celebrate festivals staying away from their families. My special greetings to all those jawans," President Ram Nath Kovind said.