Mediа
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.
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.
പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാരേ,
വികസിത, സുശക്ത സ്വാശ്രയ ഭാരതം; സുന്ദര സ്വയംപര്യാപ്ത നവകേരളം - ഇതാവട്ടെ നമ്മുടെ ലക്ഷ്യം. ഈ ലക്ഷ്യം നേടാന് നമുക്ക് ഒരുമയോടെ മുന്നേറാം.
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.
എല്ലാവര്ക്കും ഒരിക്കല് കൂടി
എന്റെ റിപ്പ'ിക് ദിന ആശംസകള്.
May we all enjoy the beauty of life and repel its ugliness.
रमन्ता पुण्या लक्ष्मीर्या पापीस्ता अनिनशम
ലോകാഃ സമസ്താഃ സുഖിനോ ഭവന്തു.
നന്ദി
ജയ് ഹിന്ദ്.
പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ പിണറായി വിജയൻ,
വിശിഷ്ട വ്യക്തികളേ,
പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാരേ,
ലോകമെമ്പാടുമുള്ള കേരളീയര്ക്ക് എന്റെ ഹാര്ദമായ റിപ്പബ്ലിക് ദിന ആശംസകള്.
Let me at the outset, convey my heartiest Republic Day Greetings to everyone present here and to Keralites all over the world.
A pageantry of glorious accomplishments strides through our minds, as our beloved nation celebrates its 74th Republic Day, savoring its pride of place as the largest and more vibrant democracy in the world.
Today, we proudly commemorate that golden moment on the 26th of 1950, when Independent India embraced a Constitution that firmly upheld the right of universal adult suffrage and encapsulated the political, social and economic rights of the people.
Our Constitution bestowed on us, the jana-gana of India, the sovereign authority to govern our nation, emphasizing the supremacy of the citizen in a democracy. The Republic Day is an occasion to gratefully extol the collective wisdom that shaped the spirit and content of our Constitution.
Our political democracy has accrued indomitable strength during the last over seven decades as it derived energy from the millennia old spiritual and cultural democracy that we have inherited from ancient India.
Through a befitting celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, marking 75 years of our Independence, we are now into the Amrit Kaal, which is our developmental pathway towards the Vikasit Bharat of the year 2047, the eagerly awaited Centenary of our Independence.
In this moment of pride, our heads bow in reverence to the memory of thousands of known and unknown patriots whose tireless struggles, hard work and selfless sacrifice resulted in the freedom and dignity that we enjoy today.
Our unwavering resolve to preserve our freedom and our progress towards prosperity would be the best expression of our respect to those patriots.
Our motherland which is home to almost one-sixth of humanity, stands tall as a microcosm of the world, embellished by its immense diversity and at the same time, firmly united by a sense of Indian-ness that permeates every mind and moment of life.
It is this perennial and ever renewing sense of oneness that reflects in the message of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” that our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-Jihas proclaimed on assuming the chairmanship of G-20 nations.
Instead of ‘fight for survival’, India now guides the world with the mantra of ‘act in unison’ in tackling global issues like climate change, terrorism, and pandemics.
As a nation, our diligence and tenacity have paid rich dividends, which are visible through a plethora of accomplishments proclaiming our robustness and philosophy of life and enhancing our prestige in the comity of nations.
Our odyssey since Independence has been guided by modern ideas of governance, an unrelenting urge to ensure justice, equality and dignity to all and the firm resolve to defend our national unity and territorial integrity.
It was this acuity and the spirit of Atmanirbharta,
self-reliance, that enabled India to confidently tide over the Covid-19 pandemic by ramping up health infrastructure, producing medicines and vaccines and making them accessible and available to 220 crore people.
The economic reforms of the Union Government led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-Ji and guided by the spirit of Atmanirbharta helped India emerge as the world's fifth largest economy last year. Today, 40 percent of the world's U.P.I transactions are happening in India alone.
Our pride in having one of the largest and the best armed forces in the world hasbeen invigorated by our success in the indigenous building and induction of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, the Prachanda Light Combat Helicopter for the Air Force and modern armaments and arsenal for the Army.
While boosting our defense capabilities and surging as one of the top 25 exporters of defense equipment, India stands firmly against global terrorism by declaring: ‘No Money For Terror’.
Opening up of the Space sector to the private sphere had encouraging results. As ‘Vikram–S’, the sounding rocket developed by Indian start up Skyroot Aerospace took off, we saw our youths proclaiming that the sky was no longer the limit.
Indian Space Research Organization, which provided this encouragement, had also carried out many missions including PSLV-C-54, GSAT- 24 and GSLV-MK-3 One Web.
All our endeavors towards building a New India draw momentum from the pace of progress and development in our States and Union territories.
In Kerala, our State Government led by Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has been working on the vision of a Navakeralam by addressing key areas like Agriculture and Environment, Housing, Health care and Education.
The completion of over 3.2 lakh houses under the Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment [LIFE] Scheme has added strength to India’s dream of providing houses to over one crore beneficiaries, through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana [PMAY] and related schemes.
Kerala has drawn inspiration from India’s rise as the third largest Start up ecosystem in the world and the Kerala Start Up Mission has been recognized in the Global Start Up Ecosystem Report-2022 as Asia’s leading performer.
The NITI Aayog Baseline Report about Kerala recording the lowest multidimensional poverty in the country, the third position in terms of employability of the youth as per India Skills Report 2022 and the appreciation received for Innovation Index and social security measures acknowledge the good performance of the State.
Well in tune with the national goals on Health, Kerala’s Aardram Mission has been re-engineering healthcare facilities from sub-centres to Medical colleges and ensuring patient access to quality healthcare services. More hospitals securing the National Quality Assurance Standard certification bears testimony to our efforts.
Kerala’s ‘Year of Enterprises’ scheme resulting in the establishment of 1.23 lakh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), an investment of Rs.7517 crore and an employment generation of 2.67 lakh have supplemented our national endeavors to promote the manufacturing sector.
Kerala’s top position in the latest Performance Grading Index (PGI) of the Union Ministry of Education, the progress in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals and the effective management of decentralized planning have been widely appreciated.
This decade of India's projected demographic dividend calls for progressive qualitative transformation in Higher Education so as to limit the flow of our students to other States and countries. Given Kerala’s high intellectual and technological potential, it is achievable through dedicated, focused efforts.
The completion of cent percent seeding of Adhaar cards, training for the youth of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, the provision of over 15 lakh rural household tap connections under Jal Jeevan Mission, and promotion of Responsible Tourism to felicitate local economic development are some of our notable strides towards progress.
The recently announced National Green Hydrogen Mission and India’s rise as the third largest producer of renewable energy have boosted Kerala’s hopes about a boom in e-Mobility in the coming years. We also hope to benefit from the improvements in road infrastructure and rail projects like Swadeshi Vande Bharat Trains.
Coming to agriculture, what emerges from our wheat fields is the scent of self reliance, as India becomes the second largest producer of wheat and the world’s food basket, with a 42 percent increase in the export of processed fruits and vegetables.
In the context of agricultural reforms, Kerala’s Krishi Darshan, Millet Village, and other steps to ensure food security, higher income for farmers, and more jobs in the farm sector attain greater relevance.
The efforts for delivery of services through the Integrated Local Self-Governance Management System (ILGMS) in our Grama Panchayats which are empowering our villages in many ways, also deserve applause.
It was Gandhiji who observed that the soul of India lives in its villages. Today, considering the national and state level initiatives in rural development and agriculture, we could see the future of India in our villages.
It will be through developed and self reliant villages and plenteous granaries that we would realize the dreams of our Amrit Kaal. Such a developed and affluent India was foreseen by the famous poet, the Late P. Kunjiraman Nair who wrote:
പാരിതിന് പൂങ്കാവ്, ഭാരതം !
നാളത്തെ ഭാരതം !
ഉര്വിക്ക് പുത്തൻവെളിച്ചമരുളുന്ന
ഭാരതം –സുസ്നേഹഭാരതം,
ഗ്രാമീണഭാരതം, സമ്പന്ന കര്ഷകഭാരതം.
To strive towards the creation of such an all prosperous India is the mission of every Indian during the Amrit Kaal.
It would be an expression of our gratitude for belonging to a nation, rich in heritage, richer in opportunities and undoubtedly richest in the Constitutional promise of a life of justice, equality, liberty, fraternity and above all, dignity to all its citizens.
Let us perform our duties, mindful of the welfare of our fellow-beings and with unwavering loyalty towards the nation so that India’s Republican ideals, like its age-old philosophical insights continue to radiate the light of strength, unity and hope to the entire world.
എല്ലാവര്ക്കും ഒരിക്കല്കൂടി
എന്റെ റിപ്പബ്ലിക് ദിന ആശംസകൾ.
ലോകാഃ സമസ്താഃ സുഖിനോ ഭവന്തു
നന്ദി
ജയ് ഹിന്ദ്.
***
