Our people are on the march

The following is the address of the President of India APJ Abdul Kalam to the joint session of Parliament on February 16, 2006

Honourable Members,

My greetings to you all. It is with a sense of optimism that we look forward to the New Year. A nation of a billion people rising to its potential is an exciting feeling. The feeling is palpable. It is not merely the statistics of economic growth or the enthusiasm that the world outside has shown for the Indian opportunity that makes these times so exciting. It is the fact that as a nation we have collectively decided to sink the differences of the past; that we have restored to our polity a sense of healing; that we have restored to our society a sense of inclusiveness; and that we have given our economy a sense of purpose.

Our economy is on the move and our people are on the march. After a period of none too exciting growth of around 5.0 % per annum during 1999-2003, the economy has bounced back, recording 7.5% growth in 2004-05 and likely to cross 8.0% in 2005-06. This is probably a precursor to better times to come in the future. Equally importantly, the rate of inflation has remained at modest levels despite a sharp increase in global energy prices. For the common man, for each of our families, the most important economic variable is the price of commodities. So it is a matter of immense satisfaction that even in the face of an unprecedented rise in global oil prices, the Indian economy has performed exceedingly well. My Government’s prudent and judicious management of the economy has greatly helped in this.

The renewed optimism of the people, whose creative energies are being unleashed, has also played its part. The optimism is visible in the savings rate which is now over 29% and the investment rate which is near 31%.

Confidence in India, in our democracy and in our economy, has never been higher. We have been able to restore the pluralistic ethos that is the essence of India. We have been able to reverse a dangerous trend of intolerance that had begun to eat into the vitals of our nation and restore pluralism, tolerance and compassion. We have been able to replace debates that sought to divide the nation with debates that matter to everyday living of the people, debates on issues of concern to the aam aadmi. It is heartening to see that there is active discussion in government, media and civil society about options for growth, poverty reduction, education, health, employment, basic facilities, infrastructure, empowering people and helping marginalized and weaker sections catch up. Such debates are the life-blood of our democracy.

This Government was voted to office to effect this precise change. This has been accomplished. To inspire a new generation of Indians to celebrate the fruits of our freedom struggle, my Government is drawing up impressive plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Indian Independence next year.

My government has been able to create a new architecture of inclusive development built on the foundation of five pillars. These are the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, a historic piece of legislation to provide income security to the poor and bridge the rural poverty gap; Bharat Nirman, a time-bound plan to create better rural infrastructure; the National Rural Health Mission, to address gaps in basic health; the Jawaharlal Nehru Mission for Urban Renewal, to ensure a dynamic, visionary, inclusive and caring process of urbanization; and, a strengthened Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with a universal mid-day meal programme.

President Kalam heads for the session

Photographs courtesy Rashtrapathi Bhavan