President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the country needs to rediscover itself and efforts should be made to return it on the road leading to prosperity.
Addressing the country on eve of India's 65th Republic Day, Mukherjee said, "The last decade witnessed the emergence of India as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The slowdown of our economy in the last two years can be some cause for concern but none for despair. The green shoots of revival are already visible. The agricultural growth in the first half of this year has touched 3.6 per cent and rural economy is buoyant."
Describing 2014 as a precipice moment in India's history, Mukherjee said, "We must re-discover that sense of national purpose and patriotism, which lifts the nation above and across the abyss; and back on to the road of prosperity."
Mukherjee also said that India has the intellectual prowess, the human resource and financial capital to shape a glorious future. He said the people possess a dynamic civil society with an innovative mindset.
"Give the young jobs and they will raise the villages and cities to 21st century standards. Give them a chance and you will marvel at the India they can create," he added.
Mukherjee warned that this chance will not come if India does not get a stable government.
"This year, we will witness the 16th General Election to our Lok Sabha. A fractured government, hostage to whimsical opportunists, is always an unhappy eventuality. In 2014, it could be catastrophic. Each one of us is a voter; each one of us has a deep responsibility; we cannot let India down. It is time for introspection and action. India is not just a geography: it is also a history of ideas, philosophy, intellect, industrial genius, craft, innovation and experience," Mukherjee said.
"The promise of India has sometimes been mislaid by misfortune; at other times by our own complacence and weakness. Destiny has given us another opportunity to recover what we have lost; we will have no one to blame but ourselves if we falter," he said.
