Republic Day 2019: President Ram Nath Kovind Addresses Nation, Says 'We People of Bharat Have Important Responsibility of Using Our Franchise' in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections

New Delhi, January 25: President Ram Nath Kovind, addressing the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2019, started by wishing the nation and greeting the country on the eve of Republic Day 2019. The President remembered 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi as India enters the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Republic Day 2019, President's Address to Nation Live Streaming: Watch Telecast of President Ram Nath Kovind's Speech on Eve of 70th Republic Day Here.

This day is an opportunity to remember the high ideals of our Republic based on democracy, said the President. Republic Day 2019 Significance: Know the Importance & History Behind 26 January Celebrated as India's Republic Day.

President Kovind said that all citizens of the country have the opportunity to replicate their faith towards the ideals of freedom, equality and brotherhood. And most of all, our Republic Day, we also have the opportunity to feel the pride of being Indians.  Happy Republic Day 2019 Wishes: WhatsApp & Hike Stickers, Patriotic GIF Image Messages, SMS, Facebook Greetings to Send on 26th January.

"This year is especially important for our Republic. On 2nd October we celebrate the 150 anniversary of Father Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji's 150 anniversary, not only India but also for the whole world, is an opportunity to deeply understand, adopt and implement his ideals" said the President.

"Gandhiji communicated self-belief and motivation in the people to eliminate imperialism in Asia, Africa, and many other countries in the world, and showed him a path of freedom. Bapu still has a light-beaming morality for our republic."

"Our country is at an important stage at this time. Our today's decision and activity will determine the nature of the twenty-century India. All of us people of Bharat are going to have an opportunity to play a more important responsibility this year. In general elections for the election of the seventeenth Lok Sabha, we all have to use our franchise" said the President, talking about the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

"In particular, we recall the role of Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee. In his honour, and in our Constitution’s honour, the nation will celebrate Constitution Day this year in an appropriate manner."

"The ideas and idealism of our democracy will come into full force. Once more voters will deliver their verdict and write their destiny. This year’s election will be the first when voters born in the 21st century will contribute to electing a new Lok Sabha. An election is not just a political exercise. An election is a collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action. It represents a renewal and a recommitment to the goals and hopes of a shared and egalitarian society."

"Connectivity is bringing us together as never before. India has been united and integrated – now it is being networked. Leapfrogging technologies and leapfrogging enlightenment are empowering our farmers and equipping our soldiers.No conception of India’s development can be complete without a salute to our spirit of inclusiveness – of access and opportunity for all; of an expansion and an embrace of those whom we consider our own."

"India’s pluralism is its greatest strength and its greatest example to the world. The 'Indian model' rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all three and we will have all three."

"Best indicator of social change in India is change towards gender equity and towards providing equal opportunities to every girl child and every woman. Given the chance, our daughters tend to not just equal but outperform our sons in the classroom.

Young women in our country are moving ahead in every field – from academics to the creative arts, from sports to the armed forces. There is no stopping and no hesitation in this process. It is the route to India’s future.

Our Republic has come a long way and we must appreciate how far successive generations have brought us. Equally, we must appreciate that our voyage is far from complete. There are still waters to cover, still gaps to fill and still tears to wipe. We have to recalibrate our yardstick – from quantity to quality; from a literate society to a knowledge society; from a nation that has room for all segments and communities to a family that encourages and celebrates the uniqueness and potential in each person.

The recent constitutional amendment to provide special facilities for talented children from poorer families is another step to an India of our dreams – and of Gandhiji’s dreams. Partnerships are the thread knitting together family, nation and world – and leading to the treatment of the World as a Family. Partnerships are enhanced by open communication, honest conversation and unstinted compassion. This is true with members of our families. This is true with sections that have been historically disadvantaged and whose grievances must continue to be addressed.

It is important to create avenues for such conversations, even if they are inconvenient. In a society experiencing rapid change, we must be prepared for such conversations. Our society has shown great regard for those who devote themselves to people’s welfare. Well-intentioned contributions of individuals, of institutions, whether public or private, or for that matter of the govt, must be acknowledged and appreciated. Our Republic’s vision is of reaching democratic goals by democratic means, pluralistic goals by pluralistic means, enlightened goals by enlightened means, compassionate goals by compassionate means – and constitutional goals by constitutional means" said the President in his speech.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 25, 2019 07:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).