Country ashamed over Delhi gang-rape incident: Pres

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the country was ashamed over the Delhi gangrape incident and stressed on the need for a culture that respects women.

"Yes, we are ashamed of what has happened recently in Delhi.... We are simply ashamed. If a nation cannot respect its mother, sisters and daughters, that country is not civilised country," Mukherjee said addressing legislators at a function to mark the 125 years of Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Mukherjee said the very fundamental principle of civilisation was respect for mothers.

"In all religions, in all civilisations, this is the basic fundamental but it cannot be simply done by merely making laws. This is to be inbuilt in the culture, the system, in the way of life," he said.

Referring to his New Year's message, Mukherjee said he had called for dedicating 2013 to improving the security and welfare of women in the country.

"This is our responsibility. We will ensure it, we will secure it and for that whatever needs to be done, we can do it," he said.