പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ പിണറായി വിജയന്‍,

മറ്റു വിശിഷ്ട വ്യക്തികളെ,

പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാരേ,

എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും എന്റെ റിപ്പബ്ലിക് ദിന ആശംസകള്‍. 

 

It is with a sense of great joy and accomplishment that we, the people of India, celebrate our 72nd Republic Day today.

Our journey from the 71st to the 72nd Republic Day, barring a few weeks, has been gruelling and challenging. However, Our grit, determination and ingenuity enabled us to sail ahead as a stronger nation to the uncharted waters of the “new normal”.

Covid-appropriate behaviour may have required us to scale down the exhibition of celebrations but our zeal and spirit are no lesser than any year ever before.

Today, we celebrate the memory of that proud moment in 1950, when our beloved nation became a Republic, by giving unto ourselves, our holy book of Democracy which promises all citizens, Justice, Equality, Liberty, Fraternity and Dignity.

 

India’s journey so far, has been marked by concerted endeavours enabling every citizen to accomplish and enjoy the promises of our Constitution and to realise the goals listed in the Directive Principles. 

Our trust in the lofty ideals and invincibility of democracy is unwavering.  It reflects our profound respect for the known and unknown heroes whose blood, sweat and toil gave us the Spring of Freedom, the dignity and the unmatched pride that we enjoy today.

As we celebrate our Republic Day, a pageantry of our achievements fills our minds. Along-side our gains, we concede the havoc wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic, which redefined our lives and lifestyles.

India’s apt response to the pandemic was marked by timely actions to restore the economic growth, with full faith in our resilience. Together, we endured lock-downs and restrictions, confidently seeking opportunity in adversity.

As a result, we are firmly back on track, wiser, innovative and confidently traversing the path of self-reliance. 

 

 

Today, our fight against Covid-19 is almost at the cusp of victory, with the nationwide vaccination drive in full swing.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat announced by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-Ji during the days of the pandemic, rekindled the spark of creativity and innovation, taking the Gandhian concept of Gram Swaraj to the next level. 

In addition to the many indigenous Vaccines in the offing, the two Vaccines against Covid-19, developed by Indian Scientists and Doctors in record time and trusted by the world, will remain as an endearing and epic stride in the history of Indian science, symbolizing the Indian spirit of self-reliance.  

The spirit of Atma Nirbharta or Self-reliance, has been deep seated in the Indian ethos, as is seen in the advice of Rishi Markandeya to Yudhishtir, in Vana Parva of Mahabharata. 

अपि शाकं पचानस्य सुखं वै मघवन् गृहे ।

अर्जितं स्वेन वीर्येण न व्यपाश्रित्य कञ्चन ॥

[O Maghvan, Happy is the man who cooks for his food, even little leaves earned by his own efforts, without depending on others]

 

The spirit of self-reliance as well as ‘Make in India’ was evident not only in the development of the vaccines, but also in the development of Swasth-Vayu ventilators and mass production of Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] kits.

Moreover, drawing strength from the Indian tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam, we supplied medicines and equipment required to treat Covid infection globally, including the developed nations. Today, we as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’ are supplying Covid Vaccine to our neighbourhood and other nations.

On this occasion, let me convey my heartfelt gratitude to the Doctors and Scientists who developed the Vaccine and the health care professionals and corona warriors from Government and civil society who are working tirelessly and with dedication to contain the menace of Covid.

As a nation, we take immense pride in our Armed Forces, which are among the strongest in the world, with capabilities matching their large mandate. Their eternal vigil and restraint instil in us, a greater sense of security. The recent developments at the borders were a test more of their restraint than of their strength.

The acquisition of the latest generation aircrafts by Indian Air Force and the successful testing of the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System and Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo [SMART] by the Indian Army have made us proud. 

Equally proud are we, to see Indian Navy’s second Aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant ready for Sea Trial and the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arighat, ready for service.

Despite the hurdles caused by Covid-19, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which leads India’s Space programme could accomplish three missions in 2020 and venture into remote launch operations from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, in the true spirit of the new normal.

Fully conscious of the role of education in nation building, the implementation of the National Education Policy-2020 is under way, offering immense possibilities to expand our horizons, and to make India a global knowledge superpower.

Accomplishments in Education have always placed our beloved State, Kerala on a higher pedestal. 

I am happy that the Government of Kerala, led by Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has succeeded in making Kerala the first in the country to digitize its general education sector.  

We have also been ranked first in the National School Education Index of Niti Ayog.

The establishment of the State’s first Open University in the name of Sree Narayana Guru who professed ‘Enlightenment through Education’, and the founding of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology as a timely response to the need for digital transformation, are major achievements. 

Our response to the inevitability of online classes for students was positive and most encouraging. In the few places which lacked connectivity and infrastructure, the government and the people stepped in with facilities like Television and Internet so that children did not miss the ‘First Bell’ online classes.

Kerala’s experience with Covid-19 has been challenging. Our swift response began with “Break the Chain” campaign followed by innumerable innovative interventions. 

We could keep mortality to the lowest in the country and win acclaim across the world.

As Corona virus underlined the truth that “disease anywhere is a threat to health everywhere”, we ensured that no one was left unattended and focused on upgrading 461 of our 674 primary health centres to family health centres.  

We also rendered our expertise in setting up Corona hospitals in other States in India.

True to the unflinching spirit of inclusive India, our State adopted a policy of  ക്ഷേമവും കരുതലും [Welfare and Care] thereby ensuring “food for all” during the lock down and after, through the community kitchens of Kudumbasree, relief camps and the regular supply of provision kits to all card holders. We also took care of elders and guest workers during the crisis.

Care and caress are also visible as more than 2.5 lakh houses, built under the PMAY-LIFE project for the homeless.  

The 6000 study rooms constructed to ensure better education to children from tribal areas also deserve mention.

Government of Kerala is committed to ensure that the first position accorded to it by Government of India for effective democratic decentralization results in greater participation of people in the democratic and development process.

The real beauty of democracy manifests in the extraordinary deeds of ordinary people. This is why Gandhiji wanted our Democracy to be “one where the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest.”

The progressive strides being made by our State are effectively empowering every section of society, in order to strengthen the India of tomorrow. 

A healthy and prosperous nation is like paradise on earth

ऋद्धं हि राज्यं पदमैन्द्र माहु

To ensure health, let us utilize the opportunity for vaccination against Coronavirus and more importantly, continue Covid-appropriate behaviour with utmost care until the threat is wiped out. 

Our dreams about a happier, more developed and stronger India can become a reality only if we work in tandem to achieve our national goals of inclusive growth, transparency and above all, people's participation in governance.

Let us march ahead hand in hand, taking our nation to even greater heights, safeguarding the harmony that blooms amidst this diversity, as our greatest inheritance.