Republic Day eve: President Murmu pushes for one nation, one election

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, asserting it has the potential to redefine "good governance" in the country by promoting consistency in governance, preventing policy paralysis, mitigating resource diversion, and alleviating financial burdens on the state.

In her address to the nation ahead of the 76th Republic Day, she emphasised the government's ongoing efforts to "eliminate remnants of a colonial mindset that have lingered in the country for decades" and cited the replacement of the British-era criminal laws with three new modern laws.

"We have been witnessing concerted efforts to change that mindset... Reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision," she said. Highlighting the significance of the proposed bill aimed at synchronising election schedules across the country, Murmu noted, "The 'One Nation One Election' plan can offer numerous benefits, including enhanced governance and reduced financial strain."
 
In discussing legal reforms, she pointed out the need to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act with new laws reflective of Indian traditions.

She mentioned the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which prioritise the delivery of justice over mere punishment and place a strong emphasis on addressing crimes against women and children. Reflecting on the significance of the Constitution, the President highlighted the progress achieved over the past 75 years.

"At the time of Independence, many parts of the country faced extreme poverty and hunger. However, we maintained a belief in ourselves and created conditions for growth," she said. Noting the contributions of farmers and labourers, she said India's economy now plays a pivotal role in global economic trends, asserting that this transformation is rooted in the framework established by the Constitution.

The President also pointed to the persistently high economic growth rate in recent years, which has generated job opportunities, increased income for farmers and labourers, and lifted many out of poverty.
She underscored the importance of inclusive growth and the government's commitment to welfare, making basic necessities such as housing and access to clean drinking water entitlements for citizens.

Efforts to support marginalised communities, particularly those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), were also highlighted.

Murmu mentioned various initiatives, including pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, national fellowships, and dedicated schemes aimed at the socio-economic development of these communities, such as the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.

The President's address underscored the government's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and redefining governance standards in the country, creating a vision for a more equitable and prosperous future for all citizens.

She emphasised that this occasion is a collective celebration of joy and pride for all citizens and remarked that while 75 years may seem like a brief moment in the life of a nation, it has been a significant period for India, marked by the revival of its long-dormant spirit and its journey to reclaim its rightful status among the world's civilisations.

Reflecting on India's historical journey, she urged citizens to remember the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the nation's freedom, highlighting the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose contributions to the freedom movement are now receiving due recognition.

The President praised the early 20th-century freedom fighters for uniting the nation in a well-organised independence movement and credited iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Babasaheb Ambedkar for helping India rediscover its democratic values.

"Justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are not just modern concepts; they have always been integral to our civilisational heritage," she asserted, noting that skeptics of the Constitution's future were proven wrong.

Murmu highlighted the inclusive nature of the Constituent Assembly, which represented diverse communities across the nation, including 15 women members who played pivotal roles in shaping the country's democratic framework.

"When women's equality was a distant goal in many parts of the world, Indian women were actively engaged in the nation's destiny," she said. The Constitution, according to the President, has evolved into a living document that serves as the foundation of India's collective identity and has guided the nation's progress over the past 75 years.

Shifting focus to present-day advancements, she highlighted the government's emphasis on physical infrastructure development, which has laid the groundwork for sustained growth. She commended the innovative use of technology in finance, noting that digital payment systems and direct benefit transfers have enhanced inclusion and transparency in the economy.

The health of the banking system has improved due to reforms like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which significantly reduced non-performing assets in commercial banks. Looking towards the future, the President underscored the importance of education in shaping the next generation.

The government has increased investments in the education sector, resulting in substantial improvements in learning quality and digital inclusion, especially in regional languages. Murmu noted that women teachers have played a crucial role in this educational transformation, with over 60 percent of new teachers being women
 
As India marches confidently towards the future, the President affirmed that the dreams of today's youth, particularly young women, will shape the nation by the time it celebrates a century of independence.

She expressed hope that future generations will recognise the pivotal role of the Constitution in guiding their journey. Addressing the nation on the eve of 76th Republic Day, Murmu said sportspersons have made the nation proud with their winning drive and inspired the next generation to aim higher.

"Our increasing confidence levels as a nation are also reflected in the arena of sports and games where our players have scripted thrilling success stories. Last year, our athletes made a mark in the Olympic Games. In the Paralympic Games, we sent our largest-ever contingent, who came back with our best-ever performance," she said.

"Our chess champions impressed the world, as our men and women won the gold at the FIDE Chess Olympiad. The achievements in the sports during the year 2024 were capped by D. Gukesh, who became the youngest World Chess Champion," added Murmu.

The President noted that the athletes are being supported by improved training facilities at the ground level. India won six medals in the Paris Olympics and surpassed all expectations with a haul of 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver, in the subsequent Paralympics.

The chess players, on the other hand, have also been on a roll, claiming gold medals in both the men's and women's team competitions of the Chess Olympiad for the first time. The 18-year-old Gukesh has been simply unbeatable. Besides becoming the youngest world champion, he also won an individual gold at the Olympiad where his performance became a key factor in sealing the team gold for India.

Speaking on the ongoing Maha Kumbh Droupadi Murmu said that it can be seen as an expression of the richness of the country's civilisational heritage. "The ongoing Maha Kumbh can be seen as an expression of the richness of that heritage," she said.

Maha Kumbh, a mega religious event organised every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13-February 26. More than 10 crore pilgrims have so far taken holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

"In order to conserve as well as celebrate this richness, the government has recognised Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit as classical languages. This category already includes Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. The government is proactively promoting research in 11 classical languages now," she said.

Murmu said she is looking forward to the completion of India's first Archaeological Experiential Museum in Gujarat Vadnagar which is being developed next to an excavation site that shows evidence of human settlement from around 800 BCE. "The museum will bring together in one place a wide range of arts, crafts and cultural elements from different eras," she said.

(Except for the headline, nothing has been changed by Top Indian News in the PTI copy.)