Prez hails pace of growth as Budget Session starts

Amid global challenges, India has emerged asa bridge and has amplified the voice of the Global South, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday, hailing India’s progress and the Union government's resolve to meet the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

The goal, she said, is not limited to any one government or generation, but will be achieved with the collective efforts of the government, Parliament and people.

“In the past Il years, the economic foundation of the country has become very strong. Despite various kinds of crises in the world, India has remained the fastest growing major economy in the world,” she said.

‘Addressing a joint session of lawmakers at the beginning of the Budget session, the President said all elected representatives should take a unified stand on issues of national interest as it will give new energy to the country’s efforts towards progress. The Opposition members briefly raised slogans, demanding the rollback of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G, when the President referred to the new scheme that has replaced MGNREGS.

The President recalled BR Ambedkar's stance on social justice and said he consistently emphasised equality and social justice, the two values that are enshrined in the Constitution.

“Every citizen of the country should get their full rights without any discrimination. My government is committed to true social justice,” she said.

She also quoted Rabindranath Tagore to buttress the importance of self-reliance and said true independence requires economic and social self-sufficiency. The government’s Make in India campaign, she said, has ensured a global market for Indian-made products and the focus is now on strengthening domestic manufacturing and innovation.

In her speech, the President lauded the Union government's efforts for driving the economy, creating employment, poverty alleviation, increasing farmers’ incomes and also noted how India’s foreign policy and its stance of non alignment and balance makes other countries have faith in it.