Elect stable govt: Pranab
16 Aug 2013 4:52 AM IST
Noting the ‘widespread cynicism and disillusionment’ with governance and functioning of institutions, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said elections next year is an opportunity to elect a stable government that will ensure security and economic development.
In his address to the nation on the eve of 67th Independence Day, he expressed serious concern over the way Parliament and legislatures function and said corruption has become a major challenge.
In what looks like a virtual commentary on the current political scene, the President referred to the the general elections next year and said ‘this great festival of democracy is an opportunity for us to elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development.
‘Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation's journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity.’
Democracy, he said, has given the country an opportunity to create another golden age.
‘Let us not squander this extraordinary opportunity. The journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination. We must work on across-the-board revival of our values and institutions.
‘We must realise that rights go with responsibilities. We must re-discover the virtue of self-scrutiny and self-restraint,’ Mukherjee said.
The President said, ‘Institutions are a mirror of national character. Today we see widespread cynicism and disillusionment with the governance and functioning of institutions in our country.’
‘Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather than fora that legislate. Corruption has become a major challenge. The precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct this regression,’ he said.
Noting that the Constitution provides a delicate balance of power between various institutions of the state, Mukherjee said this balance has to be maintained.
‘We need a Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization.
‘We need a state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount challenges before us. We need a media and citizens who, even as they claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities,’ he said.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi's promise of self-rule based on tolerance and self-restraint and the promise of freedom from want and deprivation, Mukherjee said, ‘for nearly seven decades now we have been masters of our destiny. This is then the moment to ask are we heading in the right direction?’
In his address to the nation on the eve of 67th Independence Day, he expressed serious concern over the way Parliament and legislatures function and said corruption has become a major challenge.
In what looks like a virtual commentary on the current political scene, the President referred to the the general elections next year and said ‘this great festival of democracy is an opportunity for us to elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development.
‘Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation's journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity.’
Democracy, he said, has given the country an opportunity to create another golden age.
‘Let us not squander this extraordinary opportunity. The journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination. We must work on across-the-board revival of our values and institutions.
‘We must realise that rights go with responsibilities. We must re-discover the virtue of self-scrutiny and self-restraint,’ Mukherjee said.
The President said, ‘Institutions are a mirror of national character. Today we see widespread cynicism and disillusionment with the governance and functioning of institutions in our country.’
‘Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather than fora that legislate. Corruption has become a major challenge. The precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct this regression,’ he said.
Noting that the Constitution provides a delicate balance of power between various institutions of the state, Mukherjee said this balance has to be maintained.
‘We need a Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization.
‘We need a state that inspires confidence among people in its ability to surmount challenges before us. We need a media and citizens who, even as they claim their rights, are equally committed to their responsibilities,’ he said.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi's promise of self-rule based on tolerance and self-restraint and the promise of freedom from want and deprivation, Mukherjee said, ‘for nearly seven decades now we have been masters of our destiny. This is then the moment to ask are we heading in the right direction?’
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