 |
|
 |
 |
||
 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
REPUBLIC DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY SARDAR SURJIT SINGH BARNALA, GOVERNOR OF TAMIL NADU IN ALL INDIA RADIO AND DOORDARSHAN ON 26.01.2010
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Vanakkam,
I feel it a great pleasure to extend to you my cordial greetings and best wishes for peace, prosperity and happiness on this happy occasion of Republic Day.
Republic Day is an occasion to refresh our thoughts on a great landmark in the nation’s history and to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of democracy. Dr. Rajendra Prasad in his concluding address in the Constituent Assembly on 25th November 1949 said, “India needs today nothing more than a set of honest men who will have the interest of the country before them”. When we expect democracy to function as the “Government of the people, by the people and for the people”, we as citizens of one of the largest democracies of the world have an onerous responsibility to dedicate ourselves to shape the future of the State and the nation.
India is a nation with diverse cultures, languages and religions. Unity in diversity is the hallmark of our nation. Our forefathers have sacrificed their all for the growth and development of our nation. It is Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s concept of India’s future and this vision has laid the foundation for scientific & technological development. Nehruji said, “The future belongs to science and to those who make friends with science”. India has made rapid strides in Science & Technology and stands high among comity of nations.
India has risen up triumphant on every testing time and period of stress and strain and has acquainted herself remarkably well in every sphere of development and is on the path of becoming a developed nation. Many nations are looking to us for guidance and assistance. The use and development of Technology must relate to the aspirations of the people. Technological advancements should address the multifarious problems and should be able to safeguard our independence and unity.
Mahatma Gandhiji, the father of our nation in his address at the Second Round Table Conference said, “I shall work for an India, in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; an India in which there shall be no high class or low class of people; and an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony”. Gandhiji galvanized the people as a whole. He brought all together in one great movement for national self-respect. It is this unity that has won us freedom for our nation. The wealth of a nation depends on the multiplications and maximization of its physical resources resulting in high degree of growth.
We have had a green revolution, a white revolution and a blue revolution. We are now the leaders in Information Technology and our progress and growth in every sphere is immense. Today, India is the world’s fastest growing economy.
Tamil Nadu is a front runner and is a symbol of peace and unity. It’s people oriented schemes have earned a name and fame for the State.
Not only in healthcare delivery system but also in construction of flyovers, bridges, roads, implementation of rural welfare projects, provision of quality Higher Education on par with international standards and in starting of new industries and projects Tamil Nadu has set itself as a role model for other States. It is a matter of great pride that Tamil Nadu is the first state in India to come out with a new policy for Tiny, Small and Medium industries.
I congratulate the Tamil Nadu Government for signing MoUs to start 25 new industries at an investment of Rs.45,891 crores so as to provide employment to 2 lakh and 20 thousand persons.
Provision of free land to landless poor farmers, free Gas stoves and Televisions, enhancement and improvisation of Public Distribution System, Health Insurance Scheme, Implementation of Rural Development Projects and Women Development Projects have made Tamil Nadu one of the leading States in implementation of welfare schemes.
I am pleased to learn that 1.85 crore family card holders are being benefited under the scheme of provision of quality rice at Rs.1 per Kg and 4 lakh 12 thousand Women Self Help Groups with 65 lakh and 72 thousand members have been formed and their total savings is Rs.2,062 crores.
We are proud of our successes. As a nation as a whole we have made rapid strides in every sphere. But we have many challenges ahead. National unity and unity among people of States are need of the hour. We are proud inheritors of the doctrine of ahimsa, compassion and brotherhood. Let us draw the inspiration and strength from our forefathers and safeguard our nation’s unity, integrity and sovereignty and join hands to make India a developed nation.
I conclude with words of Smt. Sarojini Naidu, in Constituent Assembly, “Remember under this Flag there is no prince and there is no peasant, there is no rich and there is no poor. There is no privilege; there is only duty and responsibility and sacrifice. Whether we be Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs or Zoroastrians and others, our mother India has one undivided heart and one indivisible spirit.
Men and Women of reborn India rise and salute this Flag! I bid you, rise and salute the Flag”.
My Greetings to all of you.
Jai Hind.
Home * Historical Background * Governor * Past Governors * News & Events * Photo Gallery * Contacts * Links
