India close to achieving long-term goals: Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind said India is now close to achieving many of its long-term goals.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 72nd Independence Day, Kovind said, “We are at a juncture in time where we are very close to the long-term goals of our country that we have strived to attain. These include household electrification for all, an open defecation-free country, houses for all homeless, and elimination of extreme poverty. These goals are well within our reach now.”

“We must focus on not getting distracted from our goals and avoid getting into unnecessary controversies,” he added.

Kovind said the attempts to empower women in the country are a fitting tribute to freedom fighters. He said: “We must ensure that women are given ample opportunities to grow. When we financially support women-run start-ups and enterprises, ensure LPG connections for crores of households, and empower women in these ways, we offer a fitting tribute to the freedom fighters.”

President Kovind highlighted the Centre’s efforts to extend the coverage of schemes to the weakest sections of the society. He said, “Through the Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan the benefit of 7 principal central government schemes is being extended to the poorest and weakest citizens of the country. These services include electrification, banking, welfare and insurance schemes, and extension of vaccination programs to the farthest corners of the country.”

“The Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan has also been extended to include 117 aspirational districts that have been excluded from the development process till now... We now have an opportunity to improve the lives of those who make up the lowest rung of our social pyramid,” Kovind said.

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