By IANS,
Mumbai : President Pratibha Patil Tuesday emphasised the need to reform India’s institutions in accordance with the demands of the rapidly changing socio-economic conditions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the platinum jubilee (1937-2011) celebrations of the Maharashtra legislature, Patil said: “Increasing industrialisation, rise of money power, decline of value system, technological innovations, information explosion have all brought forth new challenges.”
“These challenges become magnified in a pluralistic society like ours as sensitivities of various groups also need to be taken care of,” she said, adding the legislative assemblies reflect the views and aspirations of the people and that it is for the people’s representatives to discharge their duties keeping in mind the institutional and democratic norms.
“The world is changing fast and the people’s representatives have to rise to the occasion. We need to deliberate and debate on the ways to strengthen governance, legislative system, as well as judicial system. There is an urgent need for undertaking electoral reforms. Alongside, there is also a need to reform our education system,” she said.
“Maharashtra legislature has been engaged in constructive democratic activity for 75 years now. It has been at the forefront of framing people-friendly and growth-oriented legislations. I am sure it will continue its good work in future too,” she added.
Recalling that she entered the Maharashtra assembly as a young legislator about 50 years ago and got an opportunity to serve as a minister for six terms and once as leader of the opposition, Patil said it is her privilege to inaugurate the inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations.
“Maharashtra is a land of progressive thinkers and social reformers. Several of the leaders of the Independence movement came from this land. It is also the land of many noted scientists, artistes and poets. It is an honour to be representing Maharashtra,” she said.
Patil emphasised that India has the distinction of showing to the world that faster economic growth is possible even under democratic regimes.
“The world witnessed the economic recession in 2008, which affected most of the developed nations. Its impact was far less in India, and the turnaround was fantastic and we are back to eight per cent growth,” she said.
Patil said that, as an evolving nation, steps have been taken to strengthen our democratic institutions.
“Democracy is not a mere instrument of governance. We need to stand up to the challenges being posed for effective democracy and also realize that along with rights come responsibilities,” she said.
Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde (all three former chief ministers of the state) were also present on the occasion among others.