New Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that the diversity and vibrancy of India's democracy is appreciated all over the world and this spirit of unity and "of being one nation" is celebrated every year as Republic Day. In his address on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, the President recalled the contribution of freedom fighters and said Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, whose 125th birth anniversary was observed on January 23, adopted the energizing salutation of 'Jai Hind'.

He said Netaji's "quest for independence and ambition to make India proud inspire people". The President said that rights and duties are two sides of the same coin and observance of fundamental duties mentioned in the constitution creates a proper environment for the enjoyment of fundamental rights. He said Republic Day is an occasion to celebrate what "is common to us all, our Indian-ness".

"It was on this day in 1950 that this sacred essence of us all assumed a formal shape. That day, India was established as the largest democratic republic and 'we the people' put into effect a Constitution that is an inspired document of our collective vision. The diversity and vibrancy of our democracy is appreciated worldwide. It is this spirit of unity and of being one nation which is celebrated every year as Republic Day. This year's celebrations may be muted due to the pandemic, but the spirit is as strong as ever," he said.

The President recalled the contributions of Babasaheb Ambedkar as chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution and said the members, who were leading lights of freedom struggle, discussed threadbare every Article, every phrase and every word, on behalf of the people. "While the text of the Constitution, dealing with the details of the workings of the State, is quite long, the Preamble sums up its guiding principles - Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. They form the bedrock on which our Republic stands. These are the values that form our collective inheritance," he said.

"These values have been accorded primacy in our Constitution in the form of Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties of the citizens. Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. The observance of the Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Constitution by the citizens creates the proper environment for enjoyment of Fundamental Rights," he added. The President said by fulfilling the fundamental duty of rendering national service when called upon to do so, crores of people have transformed the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the COVID vaccination drive into mass movements. "A great deal of credit for the success of such campaigns goes to our dutiful citizens. I am sure that our people will continue to strengthen the campaigns of national interest with their active participation and will demonstrate the same dedication," he said.

The President said that the Constitution of India was enacted and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, "which we now celebrate as Constitution Day but it was made effective two months later". This was done to mark that day in 1930 when India resolved to win complete freedom. From 1930 to 1947, every year January 26 was celebrated as 'Purna Swaraj Day', and that was the day chosen to put the Constitution into force. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's words on how 'Purna Swaraj Day' was to be celebrated, the President said he "wanted us to look inside, introspect and strive to become better human beings, and then also look outside, join hands with others, and contribute towards the making of a better India and a better world".

The President said the world has suffered from unprecedented misery, and surge after surge of new variants have been posing new crises. "It has been an extraordinary challenge to humankind. The pandemic management was bound to be all the more difficult in India. We have a high population density, and as a developing economy, we did not have the level of resources and infrastructure needed to battle this invisible enemy. But it is only in such difficult times that the resilience of a nation shines forth," he said.

"I am proud to say that we have shown an unmatched resolve against the coronavirus," he added. The President said that the vaccination drive against COVID-19 is progressing at a quick pace in the country. "In the first year itself, we raised the healthcare infrastructure and also reached out to help others. By the second year, we had developed indigenous vaccines and launched the world's biggest vaccination drive in history. During the pandemic, we have reached out to several other countries with vaccines and other medical help. This contribution by India has been appreciated by international organizations," he said.

President Kovind said countless families have gone through a harrowing time and there are no words to express collective trauma. He noted that the time of crisis "has also made us appreciate how we all Indians are connected as one family". "The time of social distancing has brought us close to each other. We have realised how much we depend on each other. Doctors, nurses and paramedics have risen to the challenge, working long hours in difficult conditions even at the risk of their lives to attend to patients. Others have kept the nation moving, managing supply chains and utilities. The leadership, policymakers, administrators and others at the central and state levels have made timely interventions," he said.

He urged people not to let their guard down as pandemic is still widespread. "There have been setbacks, unfortunately, as the virus makes a comeback with new mutations. Countless families have gone through a harrowing time. There are no words to express our collective trauma. The only saving grace is that many lives could be saved. As the pandemic is still widespread, we must remain alert and not let our guard down," he said. The President said that precautions taken till now have to be continued. "Wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing have been essential parts of COVID appropriate behaviour. In the fight against the COVID pandemic, it has now become a sacred national duty of every citizen to follow the precautions suggested by our scientists and experts. We have to discharge this duty till the crisis is behind us," he said.

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