With general elections looming large on the nation's horizon, President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday asked the people of India to "elect a stable government" which will ensure "security and economic development".
"There will be a general election in our country before I have the privilege of addressing you again on the eve of our next independence day," Mukherjee said in his address to the nation on the eve of India's 67th Independence Day.
"This great festival of democracy, is an opportunity for us to elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development. Every election must become a crucial milestone in our nation's journey towards greater social harmony, peace and prosperity," he said.
He said democracy has given India an opportunity to re-create another golden age.
"Let us not squander this extraordinary opportunity. The journey ahead calls for wisdom, courage and determination. We must work on across-the-board revival of our values and institutions.
"We must realize that rights go with responsibilities. We must re-discover the virtue of self-scrutiny and self-restraint," he added.
Quoting the Bhagvad Gita, Mukherjee said the future of India's democracy rests on the right decision taken by the people.
