Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 14
President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil has said that the people are becoming more aware of their rights and the governments must be responsive to their needs. Drawing allegory for her statement by contextualizing ‘the administrator’s’ failure to deliver services and welfare, the President said there is outrage that corruption has eaten into welfare.
“…the expectations of the people are rising as they are becoming more aware of their rights and seek better opportunities. Facilities, amenities and services meant for them whether they are living in rural or urban areas can be delivered smoothly only if there is an effective governance system that is less cumbersome but more transparent and accountable. There is outrage when money meant for welfare schemes is pilfered out by corrupt practices,” President Patil stated in her Independence Day speech.
She said each elected Member of Parliament represents on an average the voice of over a 1.3 million electorate – larger than the population of some nations. This imposes a huge responsibility to represent the aspirations of those who have elected them, she said. The governments have a clear obligation to work for the welfare of the people and the progress of the nation, Patil said.
Referring to the flagship programmes of the government as “comprehensive,” she said their implementation will have to be at optimal levels for an impact to be made on the lives of the people. “Hence, the emphasis on reform of governance for effective delivery of public services is critical to change the lives of the people. The administrators must be responsive to the needs of the people. Their work is a public service – commitment, dedication and honesty should be the hallmarks of their work,” the President said.
The President also encouraged citizens to come forward to contribute to the government’s efforts and in other development initiatives through public-private partnerships, NGOs, community groups or Self Help Groups. “An enlightened citizenry conscious of its civic duties and social responsibilities, maintaining discipline, following good habits particularly about hygiene and cleanliness, respectful towards nature’s bounty and sensitive to environmental concerns is the greatest asset of a nation,” she said. The President further touched issues pertinent to the weaker and vulnerable sections of society who she said are not “full partners” in the growth and development process.
They remain on the sidelines, she said. “These sections of society need to be drawn into the national mainstream. They need to be given access to education, health and skill-building - the tools of empowerment. This will equip them with abilities and capabilities and generate confidence about their future prospects. This will give them a sense of control over their destinies. It is within the realm of possibility to achieve this,” the President said.
Nonetheless, she said “signs of change are becoming visible.” Today, Patil said, there are girls joining colleges, whose parents had never ever been to school; people are today realizing the advantages of being educated and are ready to seize opportunities, she said.
Mentioning the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill and Empowerment of Women, Patil said they will socially and economically empower women – 50 percent of India’s population to play an active role in nation building. “Giving an equal chance to everybody to get ahead in life is an article of faith for the Republic of India, and building an inclusive society our objective,” the President said
On other issues, the president emphasized on harmony and peaceful co-existence: “India has shown a remarkable capacity to assimilate change as well as the influences that have been brought to its land over centuries by the many groups who came here. This has made us a composite society consisting of many different strands but yet united” she said.
This unity, the President said, has been brought about by the “philosophy” of harmony which demands a sense of responsibility towards fellow human beings. “It seeks to resolve differences rather than widen them. It seeks to bring people together rather than divide them. It looks at change not as a threat but as a reality of the march of time. Peaceful co-existence is inherent in our culture,” she said.
