By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Reminding the nation to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s pledge of “wiping every tear in every eye”, President Pratibha Patil regretted that the benefits of a surging economy have not percolated to weaker sections.
In her maiden Republic Day address to the nation Friday , the President also called for strong measures to remove corruption and collective action to combat terrorism.
“Our efforts and our commitment, while pursuing the goal of high growth rates, should be to ensure that all people of our country benefit from it. Our pledge will remain unfulfilled until, as Gandhiji had said – we have wiped every tear in every eye,” Patil said in her address on the eve of 59th Republic Day.
The President said the country cannot look at the future without addressing the needs of under-privileged and disadvantaged sections of the society.
Referring to several flagship programmes like Bharat Nirman and Rural Health Mission, employment schemes in rural areas, she said their implementation “remains a challenge” and needed to be executed in a time-bound and transparent manner.
Warning that terrorism constituted a grave threat to the civilised world, the President said the continuing terror attacks were reminders of the need to take collective action.