One identity Bharat, one goal Viksit Bharat: President stresses unity of purpose in Budget session remarks

In her remarks at the commencement of the Budget Session of Parliament on Friday, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the need for unity of purpose as the country aims developed nation status by 2047.

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In a nearly hour-long address to the joint sitting of Parliament, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence, Murmu lauded the decade-long rule of the BJP-led NDA dispensation for all-round inclusive governance and said the past decade was one of cultural revivals of the country.

Noting considerable progress on the fronts of key legislations that continue to be controversial and politically contested, the President said: “The government has also made swift progress on critical issues like “one nation, one election” and the “Waqf Act Amendment.” 

Her overall thrust was on flagging the governance model of the BJP over the past decade and on the ideal of nation first.

“Bharat is a country of 140 crore people. We have diverse states, diverse regions and diverse languages, yet as one nation, we have only one identity – Bharat.

And we have only one resolution, one goal – ‘Viksit Bharat’!” she said in times of a fractured polity with the chasm between the ruling and opposition sides growing.

In his speech, Murmu hailed the government for establishing peace in the northeast, aiming self-reliance in defence, inching closer to eradicating Left wing extremism, empowering the middle class, repealing obsolete laws and provisions for enhanced ease of living and for powering growth through infrastructure development in both physical and social fronts.

“The economic progress of a nation like India is defined by the aspirations of the middle class and the fulfilment of those aspirations. The bigger the dreams of the middle class are, the higher the nation soars. It is my government that has, for the first time, openly acknowledged and appreciated the contributions of the middle class on every occasion,” Murmu said mentioning as evidence the government decision to constitute the Eighth Pay Commission for the welfare of government employees, 50% assured pension to lakhs of employees under the Unified Pension Scheme, enactment of

RERA to safeguard middle class, home loan subsidies and

UDAN scheme that enables about 1.5 crore people to fly.  

Acknowledging the role of taxpayers in nation-building, Murmu said the government has simplified tax-related processes.

Noting that the pace of work has tripled in the third term of the NDA Government, Murmu said, “Today the nation is witnessing major decisions and policies being implemented at an extraordinary speed, with the highest priority given to the poor, the middle class, the youth, women, and farmers.”

Speaking of enhanced budgets for “Housing for All”, the President said a budget of 5,36,000 crore rupees has been allocated for this purpose. 

“Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 41,000 crore has been disbursed to crores of farmers in recent months,” she said, adding that day is not far when an Indian citizen will travel to space aboard the indigenously developed Gaganyaan spacecraft.

Murmu also said that in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, the role of research, along with the role of farmers, soldiers and science, is of immense importance and lauded initiatives to make India a global innovation powerhouse, namely National Quantum Mission and others.

She said the government has worked with strong determination to lift the economy out of a state of policy paralysis and despite COVID-19 pandemic, its aftermath, and war-related uncertainties, the Indian economy has demonstrated remarkable stability and resilience, proving its strength. 

Underlining the digital revolution which she said had eased the lives of people, Murmu said the government was building modern physical infrastructure and investing in social infrastructure through health initiatives.

She mentioned here the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project that has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through railway line. “Under this ambitious project, the Chenab Bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge in the world,” she said to applause, adding that work on the Shinkun La tunnel is also progressing successfully and upon completion, it will be the world’s highest tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

Murmu said the government has established three strong pillars of Reform, Perform and Transform for India’s development.

“The government has conducted an extensive review of laws enacted before the Constitution came into force. Many laws are being repealed or amended to ensure that the entire system can meet the current social and economic challenges. So far, the government has repealed more than 1,500 obsolete laws. By removing colonial-era laws, a ‘Nyaya Sanhita’ has been introduced in place of the Penal Code. With ‘Jan Vishwas’ (public trust) and ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s participation), my government is working to make the lives of citizens better. The “Vivad se Vishwas” initiative has been launched to resolve disputes.  

In the same spirit, over 40,000 regulations have been simplified or reduced and 3,500 provisions have been decriminalised, Murmu said. 

She also said that in an environment of global instability, India is emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability, setting an example for the world. 

“Whether it is the G7 Summit, QUAD, BRICS, SCO, or G20, the world has placed its trust in India’s strength, policy, and intent.

Today, India firmly presents its interests even on the largest global platforms,” the President added.