Ram Mandir Landmark In India's Re-Discovery Of Its Civilisational Heritage: President Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on Thursday (25 January), a day before the 75th Republic Day.

The address was broadcast on the Akashvani network and telecast across Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version.

Here are the key highlights of the President's speech:

Historic Ram Temple Consecration

Praising inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya during her Republic Day Eve address to the nation, the President called it “historic” and asserting that the temple stands as a “grand edifice”.

"Earlier this week, we witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of the idol of Prabhu Shri Ram in the glorious new temple constructed at His birthplace in Ayodhya. When this event will be seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in India’s continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage," the President said.

"The construction of the temple commenced after the due judicial process and the decision of the highest court of the land. Now it stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people’s faith but also as a testament to people’s enormous trust in judicial process," she added.

India's Achievements In The Past year

Reflecting on the past year, the President highlighted India's successful hosting of the G20 Summit, progress towards gender equality with the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill, and significant strides in space exploration, including missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1.

"The successful organising of the Group of 20 Summit in the capital, under India’s presidency, was an unprecedented achievement. What was all the more noteworthy was the way the people were involved in the G20 events. The ideas and inputs travelled not downwards from the top but upwards from the bottom," she said.

"The G20 Summit also boosted India’s emergence as the voice of the Global South, adding a necessary element to the international discourse," the President added.

"We also progressed further towards the ideal of gender equality, when the Parliament passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill. I believe the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will prove to be a revolutionary tool of women’s empowerment," she said.

"It was also the year when India went to the moon, becoming the first to land on the lunar south pole region. After Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation rolled out a solar mission as well. Recently, Aditya L1 was successfully put into the halo orbit. We began the new year with the launch of our first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite called XPoSat which will study space mysteries like black holes. Many more space missions are planned in the current calendar year," the President said.

Vision for Peace and Environmental Responsibility

Addressing global conflicts, the President invoked the teachings of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, advocating for peace through non-violence. She also emphasised India's role in global climate action and the importance of sustainable living.

India's Economic Growth

On economic growth, the President said that India's GDP growth rate has remained the highest among major economies in recent years. She expressed belief that this extraordinary performance will continue in 2024 and beyond.

President Murmu said it is noteworthy that the same farsighted planning that fuels the economy has also given a push to the welfare drive to make development inclusive in every sense of the term. She said, the Government has decided to provide free food grains to over 81 crore people for five years.

Time of Epochal Transformation

President appealed to the countrymen to abide by their Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution as these are essential obligations towards making Bharat a developed nation.

She emphasised that that this is the time of an epochal transformation and the people have been given a golden opportunity to take the country to new heights.