Prez Murmu Addresses Nation: One Nation One Election, BNS, India's Collective Identity And More | Details

While addressing the nation on the eve of 76th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday reflected on the significance of the Constitution while highlighting the progress achieved over the past 75 years.

The president also underscored the government's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and redefining governance standards in the country and emphasized on creating a vision for a more equitable and prosperous future for all citizens.

"Justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are not just modern concepts; they have always been integral to our civilisational heritage," the President asserted.

Key highlights of Prez Murmu's address to the nation

One Nation One Election

Advocating for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, the president said that the proposed bill has the potential to redefine "good governance" in the country by promoting consistency in governance, preventing policy paralysis, mitigating resource diversion, and alleviating financial burdens on the state.

"The 'One Nation One Election' plan can offer numerous benefits, including enhanced governance and reduced financial strain", Murmu said, as per PTI.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

She mentioned the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which prioritise the delivery of justice over mere punishment and place a strong emphasis on addressing crimes against women and children.

Discussing the much-debated legal reforms, she underlined the need to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act with new laws reflective of Indian traditions.

Economy and growth

Reiterating the undeniable contributions of farmers and labourers, she said India's economy now plays a pivotal role in global economic trends, asserting that this transformation is rooted in the framework established by the Constitution.

The President also pointed to the persistently high economic growth rate in recent years, which has generated job opportunities, increased income for farmers and labourers, and lifted many out of poverty.

Efforts to support marginalised communities, particularly those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), were also highlighted.

Equality, collective identity: The Indian Constitution

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the Constituent Assembly, which represented diverse communities across the nation, including 15 women members who played pivotal roles in shaping the country's democratic framework Murmu said, "When women's equality was a distant goal in many parts of the world, Indian women were actively engaged in the nation's destiny."

The Constitution, according to the President, has evolved into a living document that serves as the foundation of India's collective identity and has guided the nation's progress over the past 75 years.

Banking, education, ISRO's achievements

The president also highlighted the improving scenario of the banking system due to reforms like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which significantly reduced non-performing assets in commercial banks.

Looking towards the future, the President underscored the importance of education in shaping the next generation.

The government has increased investments in the education sector, resulting in substantial improvements in learning quality and digital inclusion, especially in regional languages.

Murmu also lauded ISRO for its giant leaps in space in recent years while highlighting that India became the fourth country to successfully conduct a space docking experiment.

"The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been taking giant leaps in space in recent years. This month, ISRO once again made the nation proud with its successful space docking experiment. India has now become the fourth country in the world to have this capability," she said.

(With PTI Inputs)