New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu foregrounded India’s military preparedness, economic momentum and the rising role of women-led self-help groups as defining pillars of the country’s march towards a developed India by 2047, in her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.
Referring to India’s security posture, the President said the country had launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure last year under Operation Sindoor, destroying multiple terror centres and eliminating terrorists. She said the success of the operation reflected India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Citing her visits to Siachen Base Camp, sorties in Sukhoi and Rafale fighter aircraft, and inspections of indigenous assets such as aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and submarine INS Vaghsheer, Murmu said citizens have full faith in the combat readiness of the armed forces.
On the economy, the President said India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite global uncertainties and is moving steadily towards becoming the third-largest economy. She said large-scale investments in world-class infrastructure, implementation of GST creating “One Nation, One Market”, labour law reforms and a renewed focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi were strengthening economic resilience and enterprise growth.
Placing strong emphasis on women-led development, Murmu said more than ten crore women associated with self-help groups were redefining grassroots development across the country. She highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, over 57 crore bank accounts have been opened so far, nearly 56 percent of them in the names of women, reflecting their growing financial inclusion and economic participation.
She said women were breaking stereotypes across sectors, from agriculture and entrepreneurship to defence, space and sports, and cited India’s recent global sporting successes by women athletes as a matter of national pride. The President noted that women now constitute nearly 46 percent of representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions and said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would provide a decisive push to women’s political empowerment.
Reflecting on India’s constitutional journey since January 26, 1950, Murmu described the Constitution as the foundation of the world’s largest republic, rooted in justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. She recalled the contributions of national icons including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the enduring influence of Vande Mataram in fostering unity and nationalism.
The President also outlined welfare initiatives for farmers, tribal communities and the poor, including food security for nearly 81 crore people and the construction of over four crore pucca houses, saying inclusive growth remained central to India’s development vision.
Calling for environmental responsibility through the Lifestyle for Environment initiative, Murmu urged citizens to work together with a “Nation First” spirit to build a peaceful, inclusive and developed Republic.
