Critically evaluate India's successes and failures: Pranab

Speaking on the theme of 'Development, Diversity and Democracy', the President said India's social scientists should critically evaluate our successes and failures. 

 

He said: "There should be clarity on what is the meaning of Development. Does it mean only GDP growth or also include elements such as Gross National Happiness adopted by Bhutan?"

 

Expressing confidence that India will soon achieve 8-9 % annual growth and become a three trillion dollar economy, Mukherjee asked social scientists to identify how growth can be achieved without destruction of environment. 

 

He said climate change and erratic behaviour of the monsoons would have tremendous consequences for our country and people. 

 

He asked scholars to come up with corrective measures. 

 

The President said many were sceptical if democracy would survive in India in the early days of our independence. However, our democracy has been a huge success. 

 

"The 2014 elections to the Lok Sabha has established how 1.27 crore people are fully capable of governing themselves," said Mukherjee. 

 

He cautioned at the same time that democracy is much more than just voting and elections. 

 

"Our Constitution encompasses an all embracing vision of justice- social, economic and political. We cannot afford to ignore any of these ideals in pursuit of the other. Moreover, during the Anna Hazare Movement citizens were galvanised into a force through public awareness and Government was compelled to have a dialogue with social activists. This shows that our political system has evolved into a model where legislation and action can be scrutinised by the public at every stage, even if there is no right to recall of elected representatives," said he. 

 

The President said India lives in diversity and "our biggest strength is diversity. Attempts to bring uniformity have failed and Indian civilization has survived because of diversity and the spirit of tolerance towards each other."

 

He said the manner in which people of different backgrounds, language, culture and ethnicity come together and sit in one legislative chamber under one Constitution reflects the strength of India's diversity. 

 

The President concluded calling upon the Conference to discuss how we can celebrate India's diversity, strengthen democracy and move ahead with development.