Sending out a positive message on Independence Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a new era of cooperation and harmony and pledged all possible government assistance to farmers to deal with drought and stepped up efforts to control spiralling prices.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the sixth consecutive year, Singh said the government would work for political stability and strengthening economy with an aim of marching towards "a golden future".
Asserting that the people had rejected sectarian politics and have "chosen a political arrangement which is secular", he called for "a new era of cooperation and harmony" and promised to take everyone along to create "an environment of consensus and cooperation".
"You have entrusted a big responsibility on us and we humbly accept that and will fulfil it", he said.
Talking about problems like drought, economic crisis and swine flu facing the country, he sought to allay concerns.
There was no need to panic in the face of swine flu and daily life should not be disrupted because of it, said 76- year-old Singh.
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Referring to the impact of the global meltdown, Singh said the government would take all steps like tapping of more foreign investment and encouraging exports to meet the "greatest challenge" of restoring the growth rate to nine per cent.
He hoped the situation would improve in the next four months. "We expect that there will be an improvement in the situation by the end of this year", he said.
The Prime Minister asked businessmen and industrialists to join in the effort to tackle the difficult situation and fulfil their social obligation.
On the drought situation created by the deficient monsoon, he said the government would provide all possible assistance to farmers to deal with the situation.
In this context, he said the date for repayment of farmers bank loans has been postponed and additional support given to them for payment of interest on short term crop loans.
Warning hoarders and black-marketeers, Singh said the state governments have been asked to strictly implement the laws in this regard to crack down such elements.
Assuring the nation that there was adequate stocks of foodgrains, he said all efforts would be made to control rising prices of foodgrains, pulses and other goods of daily use. "We want that no one in the country goes hungry", Singh said.