ബഹുമാന്യ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ പിണറായി വിജയന്‍,

വിശിഷ്ട വ്യക്തികളേ,

പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാരേ,

ലോകമെമ്പാടുമുള്ള കേരളീയര്‍ക്ക് എന്റെ ഹാര്‍ദമായ

റിപ്പബ്ലിക് ദിന ആശംസകള്‍. 

As our beloved nation celebrates its 76th Republic Day, we are reminded of the remarkable achievements that illuminate our journey, reinforcing India's position as the world's largest and most vibrant democracy.

Today, we commemorate with immense pride the historic day of January 26, 1950, when Independent India adopted its Constitution — the scripture of democracy that firmly established the principles of universal adult suffrage and guaranteed the political, social, and economic rights of its citizens. Our Constitution, a testament to the foresight and wisdom of the illustrious members of the Constituent Assembly, vested sovereign authority in the hands of the people, underscoring the centrality of the citizen in a true democracy. It is therefore befitting that this year's Republic Day Celebration focuses on 75 years of the enactment of our Constitution.

 The words of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India's first President and the former President of the Constituent Assembly, resonate deeply with us today:

"There is something in our life and culture that has given us the strength to survive despite the blows of time. If we keep our ideals before us, we will be able to offer a great service to the world". Indeed, Independent India, steadfast in its commitment to the loftiest democratic and pluralistic ideals, has not only endured the trials of time but has grown stronger with each passing step, emerging as the world's fifth-largest economy and a formidable global power. Republic Day, therefore, is more than a celebration — it is a solemn reminder of the resilience and vitality of our democracy. It is a tribute to the timeless wisdom of ancient India's spiritual and cultural heritage, which has inspired and fortified our nation over the past 75 years.

 At the heart of every celebration of our achievements lies a silent prayer of gratitude to the countless patriots, known and unknown, who selflessly sacrificed their lives and comforts to secure India's independence. Their unwavering devotion continues to guide and inspire us as we chart the path toward a brighter future.

Building on the strength and confidence drawn from our past achievements, we have embarked on the Amrit Yatra — a developmental journey towards realizing the dream of transforming India into a truly Viksit Bharat by 2047, the centenary year of our Independence.

Central to this mission is our unwavering faith in the power of our youth. As former President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan aptly described, they possess the "flexibility of mind, spirit of adventure, and eagerness to improve on the past".

 Recognizing this, our Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has identified Yuva Shakti as the driving force behind India's journey towards a Viksit Bharat and Sashakt Bharat.

 To realize this dream, he has urged young Indians to embrace the twin messages of Institution and Innovation, as championed by Swami Vivekananda. 

Modiji's vision has inspired young minds to sharpen their leadership skills and to contribute actively in diverse sectors, propelling India's growth story in alignment with the nation's development goals.

 The fruits of our confidence in our youth are evident in India's emergence as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with over a hundred Unicorns.

 Today, India is home to 1.59 lakh startups, of which 73,151 are led by at least one-woman director, marking a significant rise in women entrepreneurship.

 Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce are not only solving local challenges but also earning global recognition for young India. It is a matter of pride that Kerala has been strengthening India's Start-up ecosystem as one of the best performers in the country.

 Under the Union Government, spearheaded by Shri Narendra Modi, the nation is achieving remarkable progress through transformative infrastructure development and welfare initiatives tailored for a fully developed India.

 India has solidified its geopolitical stature by surpassing Japan to claim the third position in the Asia Power Index. This achievement is a testament to the country's dynamic growth, youthful population, and expanding economy.

 The Global Firepower rankings for 2024 place India fourth in terms of military strength. However, the dedication and capabilities of our Armed Forces in protecting borders, in countering peace violations, in adding the most advanced weaponry and in asserting dominance on land, sea and air, remain unparalleled.

 Moreover, India's pursuit of Atmanirbharta in defence has led to the impressive milestone of 65% of defence equipment being manufactured domestically, showcasing the robustness of our defence industrial base.

 India's accomplishments in Space Science have further cemented our global leadership, as exemplified by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently achieving a significant landmark by successfully docking two SPADEX satellites.

 Mission Chandrayaan-3 has unveiled critical discoveries about the Moon's surface, while Aditya-L1, India's first solar observatory, has completed its maiden orbit. The launch of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) further demonstrates India's growing prowess in space exploration.

 Recognizing that a nation's progress is deeply tied to the health of its people, the Government of India is focusing on five key pillars: preventive healthcare, early disease detection, affordable treatment, availability of doctors in smaller towns, and technological advancements in health services.

 The strengthening of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) emphasizes this commitment, with expanded health coverage for all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income.

 India's holistic approach to healthcare has not only enhanced the pharma segment but also unlocked the research potential of the Ayush sector, further broadening its reach and impact.

 The farsighted schemes and programmes of the Union Government guide our States towards the realization of Viksit Bharat and I am happy that Kerala has been a frontrunner in their implementation.

 Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala has made remarkable strides across various sectors, consistently retaining its top position in the NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index.

 In healthcare, Kerala stands out by achieving the highest number of urban Primary Health Centres with National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) certification. We are also the first State in the country to introduce a district-level antibiogram.

 The State's commitment to public health is evident in the provision of free treatment to over 16 lakh people, notable progress in eliminating tuberculosis, and equipping Government hospitals with advanced transplant facilities, all of which have garnered widespread recognition.

 The recent conferment of the prestigious UN-Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development on the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram and the national recognition for the State in ensuring food safety instil great pride in us.

 Furthermore, the inauguration of India's first supercapacitor manufacturing facility in Kannur highlights Kerala's commitment to modernization and its growing contributions to the defence, renewable energy, and electric vehicle industries.

 True strength is not measured by how much you achieve but by how gracefully you rise after a fall. Kerala's response to the recent devastating landslides in Wayanad district serves as a powerful testament to this resilience.

 The rescue and rehabilitation efforts, carried out through the coordinated efforts of Central and State agencies, showcased remarkable synergy, compassion, and unwavering determination.

 A standout initiative has been the model township envisioned for the permanent rehabilitation of affected families, which was unique in its inclusive approach, giving significant importance to the voices and opinions of the displaced.

 While we are poised to become the first State with almost all teachers getting training in Artificial Intelligence, we need to fortify our commitment to create in Higher Education, a strong network of educational and research institutions of world class quality.

 No doubt, many of our universities have improved their rankings, but it is only through strict adherence to the maintenance of quality that Kerala could offer the best contribution to transforming India into the knowledge hub of the world, as laid out by the National Educational Policy.

 On this Republic Day, let our thoughts focus on making our beloved State of Kerala the greatest intellectual contributor to the realization of Viksit Bharat.

 The pride of belonging to a Viksit Bharat has long echoed in our hearts and minds—sometimes as aspirations, sometimes as poetic expressions.

 Allow me to conclude with one such vision, beautifully captured by the Malayalam poet, the Late Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup.

'വീശുന്നു പുകളെങ്ങെങ്ങും

വികസിക്കുന്നു ഭാരതം;

വീര്യവും ബലവും ചേര്‍ന്ന്

വിജയിക്കുന്നു ഭാരതം'.

കവി വിഭാവനം ചെയ്ത ഭാരതസൃഷ്ടി ആകട്ടെ നമ്മുടെ ലക്ഷ്യം.

എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും ഒരിക്കല്‍ക്കൂടി

എന്റെ റിപ്പബ്ലിക് ദിന ആശംസകള്‍.

നന്ദി

ഭാരത് മാതാ കീ ജയ്.