In his first address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind said eliminating poverty is non negotiable for the Republic of India.

He said our Republic cannot rest and cannot be satisfied without meeting the basic needs and essential dignity of our less well-off brothers and sisters.

“I refer to those from a less privileged socio-economic background, from the weaker communities and from families that still live at the edge of poverty. It is our sacred obligation to eliminate the curse of poverty in the shortest possible time. This is non-negotiable for the Republic,” the President said.

He said a happy and equal-opportunity nation is built by happy and equal-opportunity families and communities.

“Families where girls have the same rights and the same access to education and healthcare as boys. Governments can bring in policies and laws to ensure justice to women – but these policies and laws can only be made effective by families and communities that must hear the voices of our daughters. We cannot shut our ears to their urgings for change,” he added.

Kovind said an innovative nation is built by innovative children and that must be an obsessive goal for the country.

‘Invest in human capital’

“Our schooling system has to encourage our children to think and to tinker, not just to memorise and reproduce. We have made strides in tackling hunger, but the challenge of malnutrition and of bringing the right micronutrients to the plate of every child is still there. “This is important for both physical and cognitive development of our children — and for the future of our country. We simply have to invest in our human capital,” Kovind added.

Apparently referring to the debate against mob violence, he said a civic-minded nation is built by civic-minded neighbourhoods in cities or villages.

“Where we respect the next-door person’s space, privacy and rights. Where we do not inconvenience our neighbours – while celebrating a festival or while resorting to a protest or on any other occasion. Where one can disagree with another viewpoint — or even with a historical context — without mocking a fellow citizen’s dignity and personal space. This is fraternity in action,” he said.

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