By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
The Indian Community in Liberia yesterday commemorated the 72nd Republic Day of that country with a statement from the President of India, Honorable Shri Ram Nath Kovind, delivered by the Honorary Consulate General of India, Upjit Singh Sachdevia,,
The India Diplomat said the day is one in which Indians are to pause and ponder over the core values that their constitution propounds. The Honorary Consulate General of India said these values which embraced Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity as outlined in the Preamble of the constitution are sacred to all Indians. “It’s abiding adherence is meant not only for those who are mandated to govern, but for the people at large,” he said
Reading the President’s statement, the Honorary Consulate General of India said India which is the world largest and most vibrant democracy, is enriched by diversity, with many festivals celebrated with great patriotic fervor.
He told his compatriots that the wise men and women who framed the constitution did so on the note to build the foundation on which the edifice of India’s democracy rests, highlighting values that guided the freedom struggle, while acknowledging the works of great leaders and thinkers like Bal Gangadhar ‘Tilak’, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, who inspired freedom struggle.
According to Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdevia, the forerunners of India’s freedom had diverse dreams of a magnificent future of the motherland, but common to their aspirations that encompass these values, including Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
According to the statement, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity are perennial principles of India’s philosophy of life, explaining that the dawn of India’s civilization which came through an unbroken chain is the bedrock in which every generation seeks out the meaning of these values which he said are the path to development.
“Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products. Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers sustained the agricultural production,” the Honorary Consul General said.
He said a grateful nation is fully committed to the welfare of our farmers” the statement heighted, adding that hardworking farmers ensure food security for the country while the brave soldiers of the armed forces ensure security for our national boundaries amid severest conditions.
The statement added that the contribution to food security, national security, protection against disease and disasters are different areas of development.
According to the Statement, Indians scientists have strengthen the national endeavors, from space to the farms, from educational institutions to hospitals, the community of scientists has enriched our life and work.
“Our scientists have been working day and night for decoding the Coronavirus and they have succeeded in developing the vaccine in record time. With this accomplishment, our scientists have added a glorious chapter of contribution to the well-being of humanity. Our scientists, along with doctors, administrators and people from other walks of life, have made major contribution in containing the virus and keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compare to that in developed countries, he exclaimed .
The Indian leader said as humanity almost came to a halt in the face of a calamity of gigantic proportions last year, he often found himself reflecting on the central message of the constitution.
“Our effective response to the pandemic would not have been possible without our constitution value of ‘Fraternity’. Indians have been like a close-knit family, making exemplary sacrifices to protect each other in the face of the common enemy of Coronavirus” the statement pointed out
The statement said doctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare administrators and sanitation workers who put their own lives at risk to care for COVID-19 patients. Some of them even lost their lives.
Along with them, about 1.5 lakh people became victims of this pandemic. I convey my condolences to the bereaved families. Our frontline Corona-warriors were ordinary citizens who turned out to be extraordinary.
Speaking about the country’s diversity of culture heritage, the statement accentuated that population density, diversity of cultural traditions, natural and geographical challenges, taking precautionary measures against COVID-19 was far more difficult for India. Yet, they managed to check the spread of the virus to a large extent.
Despite the serious calamity, according to the statement, the country has succeeded in taking forward of activities in many spheres.
The pandemic threatened to derail the young generation’s learning process, but institutions and teachers quickly adopted new technology and ensured that there were no break in education, the statement added.
It added “By conducting not only free and fair but also safe elections in Bihar, which has high population density and in union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with difficulties of access and other challenges, our democracy and the Election Commission have accomplished remarkable feats. The Judiciary found help in technology and continued to function and dispense Justice.
Accordingly the statement, in order to open up the economy without risking the lives of the people, the process of unlocking was carefully calibrated, proved effective and the economy has started showing indications of recovery faster than anticipated, with the latest unprecedented collection of GST and India’s emergence as a most favored destination for the foreign investment are indicative of our faster economic recovery. , The statement furthered that the Government has encouraged small and medium industries to unleash entrepreneurial spirit by providing easy loans to them and helped them to come up with innovative business ideas.
“Let us look at 2020 as a year of learning. The miracles of a revitalizing Mother Nature which taught humanity a hard lesson that the Small is not expedient but complementary to the Big. I am sure that with a view to reducing the risk of such pandemics, the issue of climate change will be accorded top priority at the global level”, the statement stated challenges.
“Converting a crisis into an opportunity, the Prime Minister give a call of ‘Atima – Nirbhar Bharat’, or ‘Self – reliant Indian Mission’. Our vibrant democracy, our enterprising and talented fellow citizens – specially the youth – energize our efforts in shaping a self- reliant India.
“Our country turns 75. This will be a significant milestone in the journey of the nation as we are determined to achieve major goals from providing pucca houses with basic facilities for every family.
“Our national interest will be protected at all cost. We have also ensured a widespread understanding in the international community of India’s firm and principled stand.” he continued
“India is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world. During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part the world. The manner in which India got overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as nun- permanent member in the Security Council this tear is indicative of that influence. The quality of our engagement with leaders across the world has enhanced manifold. India with its vibrant democracy has rightfully earned its respect as a responsible and truth worthy nation,” the statement told the Indians.
The Indian leader noted, “We would do well to keep reminding ourselves of our Constitutional mantras. I have this before, but will repeat that we should make it part of our daily routine to mediate upon the life and thought of our Father of the Nation.
He implored his fellow citizens, “We must all efforts to wipe tears from evert eye. Equality is the watchword for the great project of our Republic”, saying Social equality warrants dignity for each citizen, villagers, women, including weak sections of our society, namely, scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Divyang-jan and the elderly people.
Economic quality entails equal opportunity for all and handholding for downtrodden. Act of helping fellow human beings expand our capacity for empathy. In our collective path ahead, Fraternity is our moral compass, he maintained
He concluded his statement, “Let us all continue on the path of ‘constitutional morality’ which Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar mentioned in his speech to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1948 while presenting the draft of the Constitution. He clarified that ‘Constitutional morality’ means supremacy of the values enshrined in the Constitution.”