By IANS
New Delhi : India's new president Pratibha Patil Wednesday demanded "socially inclusive" economic growth and hit out at "communalism" as she made her maiden political statement soon after taking charge as the country's first woman head of state.
In a speech in which she in some ways set an agenda of the nation, Patil talked about the need to empower women, introduce modern education in areas that don't have them, inculcate scientific temper and stressed on the need for greater development of science and technology and the necessity of balanced development.
Speaking soon after she was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, she said: "It should be our combined endeavour to sustain (economic) growth and ensure that it is socially inclusive. We must ensure that every section of our society – particularly the weak and the disadvantaged – are equal partners in, and beneficiaries of, the development process."
Patil, who defeated long-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, spoke before the country's political elite and special invitees including diplomats and her extended family. She spoke first in English and then in Hindi, with equal authority.
In a tacit admission that her journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan has been sudden and unexpected, she said: "I am fully aware of the great responsibilities placed on my humble shoulders."
Calling India "an ancient civilization but a young nation", she said: "We must all stand united in the fight against such divisive and destructive tendencies as communalism, casteism, extremism and terrorism."
The new president, who succeeds scientist-writer A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, placed emphasis on the spread of education.
"To realize the full potential of our people, we must invest in their capabilities and empower them with modern education and comprehensive health care.
"We must banish malnutrition, social evils infant mortality and female foeticide. I wish to express my full commitment to the protection of child rights," she said.
She also called for a "relentless campaign" against poverty, ignorance and disease to seek a better future for the young generation.
To drive home her concern for the poor, Patil quoted Marati poet Sant Tukaram: "One who befriends the poor and the oppressed, Recognise him to be a Saint, for God is with him."
She stressed the need to protect the planet and the environment for the future generations.
"I am deeply committed to the cause of education and would like to see every person, man and woman, boy and girl, be touched by the light of modern education. Empowerment of women is particularly important to me as I believe this leads to the empowerment of the nation."
Patil, the 12th president of independent India, said that people desired better governance, faster development and a life of peace and security.
Quoting former prime minister Indira Gandhi, she said that improving the lives of the underprivileged and alleviation of poverty "must remain the foremost and sacred duty of those who hold public office".
"We look back with pride to the tremendous achievements made during the 60 years of our independence in all spheres of life.
"More than anything else we have demonstrated to the world that a developing country of over a billion people, each aspiring for a better quality of life, can live harmoniously and move forward within the framework of a secular democracy," she said.
Reminding the nation about Rabindranath Tagore's invocation about India awakening into that heaven of freedom where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Patil said: "Let us all rededicate ourselves once again to our Constitutional ideals and work unitedly to build such an India."
She made a reference to the 150th anniversary of India's first war of independence and said drew inspiration from women freedom fighters such as Rani Lakshmi Bai, Begum Hazrat Mahal and Kitturu Rani Chennamma.