New Delhi: India should take all steps to ensure internal and external security and territorial integrity, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday expressing serious concern over repeated ceasefire violations on LoC and recent incursions off the coastal line.
He also said the scourge of Left-Wing extremism should be tackled through twin-pronged strategy of development and deterrence. In his new year message to Governors and Lt Governors through video conferencing, Mukherjee said a major issue in states having international borders was security.
"While India is committed to peace and non-violence, we cannot afford the luxury of being complacent on our borders. Repeated violations of the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) and recent incidents of incursions off our coastal line are a matter of serious concern.
"We should be ready to take all steps necessary to ensure both internal and external security, and protect territorial integrity of our nation," he said in his message. The President said after three decades, general elections have provided a stable government at the Centre with a clear majority for a single party, with a mandate for good governance.
"To realise the aspirations of our countrymen and guide India's rightful ascent in the comity of nations, both the Central and the State Governments have to collectively share the responsibility," he said.
The President reminded the Governors that they draw authority from Constitution and are oath-bound to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution and work for the welfare of the people of the state.
Maintaining that Constitution guarantees India's secular and democratic fabric, he said "We have to be ever vigilant against all efforts to disturb peace and tranquillity. "Celebration of plurality, promotion of tolerance and understanding amongst all sections of the society must guide action in the discharge of Constitutional duties," he said.
Stating that education was an essential part of development, he said sound education system "is the bedrock of an enlightened society." He called upon Governors to pay special attention to educational institutions to ensure that they provide quality education and inculcate the core civilisational values of patriotism, compassion, honesty, tolerance, performance of duty and respect for women.
The President said a number of important initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Make in India campaign and the Digital India programme have been launched in 2014. Asking Governors to "contribute" in the process of change, he said "for successful implementation of these initiatives, wise leadership and gentle influence of Governors is essential. Their power of persuasion can act as a catalyst in this process of transformation."
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