Patil calls for inclusive growth

President Pratibha Patil delivered a brisk message to the government on India's 59th Republic Day in her maiden speech: Make economic growth inclusive, check corruption, ensure benefits of social programmes reach the intended beneficiaries, and handle Naxalism firmly while addressing the problems of tribals and marginal farmers.

While the government had flagship programmes like Bharat Nirman, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, the Rural Health Mission, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, "their implementation remains a challenge," she said.