New Delhi: Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Friday assured that the Union government under Narendra Modi is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy. Addressing the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, she underlined that students are the “architects of India's future,” and appealed to citizens for a joint effort to safeguard the present and future of students.
"Public examinations become gateways to opportunities for our students. The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth," she said.
Her remarks assume significance in the backdrop of recent nationwide Gen Z and student-led protests demanding systemic overhauls, fast-track investigations, and stringent legal action following high-profile paper leak irregularities in competitive examinations.
Highlighting the spirit of enterprise among young citizens, she said youths are increasingly embracing a culture of job creation rather than job seeking.
The president said that the physical and mental well-being of the youth forms the cornerstone of the nation's future, adding that families and society share the collective responsibility to motivate them. She observed sports as a key vehicle for youth development and nation-building under the flagship 'Khelo India' programme.
"Under the Khelo India programme, a sports ecosystem is being developed across the country, from the grassroots to the national level. The government is making unprecedented investments to promote sports, yielding remarkable leaps in the achievements of our sportspersons in international tournaments," she said.
President hails soldiers
President Murmu also lauded the "unmatched valour" of the Indian Armed Forces, saying Operation Sindoor demonstrated the country's capability to execute precision counter-terror operations and sent a firm message that terror elements and their backers will face consequences regardless of where they hide.
She recalled the anniversary of the military action alongside historic observances like Kargil Vijay Diwas, reaffirming India's tradition of overcoming forces hostile to humanity.
"On the 26th of July, we observed Kargil Vijay Diwas. Earlier, on the 7th of May, we commemorated the completion of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor. We remembered the unmatched valour of our Armed Forces. That historic operation against terrorism demonstrated the capability of the Indian Armed Forces to act with precision," she said.
She said the operation delivered an unequivocal warning to enemies. "It sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them, that no matter where they hide, they will have to face the consequences of their actions."
The President also highlighted the strategic measures accompanying the counter-terror posture, describing the decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with the nation harbouring terror networks as a "decisive step in the interest of our nation, especially the farmers."
Naxal-free India
On internal security, she termed the eradication of Naxalism a monumental achievement for the country after decades of struggle.
"For decades, Naxalism posed a serious challenge to the nation. Making India Naxal-free is a major achievement. Today, enthusiasm prevails in the areas once affected by Naxalism," she said, pointing to all-inclusive development efforts and active local participation in initiatives like the Bastar Olympics and the Bastar Pandum festival.
Addressing foreign policy, she reiterated that peace, dialogue, cooperation, and the ideal of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) remain the bedrock of India's international relations.
"We believe in a rules-based international order. Our endeavour is to ensure that the global community receives appropriate representation in the United Nations and other multilateral organisations," she stated, noting India's growing stature among Global South nations.
Free medical care services up to ₹5 lakh for elderly
The President also touched upon senior care, pointing out that alongside the world's largest young population, India is also seeing a rise in senior citizens and noted that about six crore senior citizens aged 70 and above can now avail of free healthcare services up to ₹5 lakh per year under government initiatives, urging society to remain sensitive and uphold their dignity.
Developed India by 2047
She said the country is moving steadily towards building a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, driven by economic resilience, massive digital infrastructure, and empowered youth and women.
She stressed that guided by the spirit of 'Antyodaya', the core resolve of the nation remains ensuring the fruits of development reach every individual, even as global warfare and instability present severe economic headwinds worldwide.
"Even in such trying circumstances, our economy is moving ahead as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. According to economic projections, the growth rate of the Indian economy is expected to be more than twice the average global growth rate.
Highlighting internal welfare milestones over the past decade, the President said that more than 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty and added that nearly 59 crore account holders have joined the banking system under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, with over 32 crore of these account holders being women, while food security has been ensured for over 80 crore people through free rations.
She pointed out that the country has developed the world's largest and best digital infrastructure, accounting for more than half of global real-time digital transactions.
Youth, India's 'most valuable asset '
Murmu noted that 65 per cent of the country's population is below the age of 35, and she termed the youth India's "most valuable asset."
She commended young entrepreneurs for driving a robust startup ecosystem and lauded young innovators, citing a recent space exploration milestone led by a team with an average age of just 28 years.
Women empowerment programmes
Women's empowerment remained a central theme of her address. Celebrating achievements ranging from rural self-help groups to high-altitude defence, she said that the initial target of creating three crore 'Lakhpati Didis' has been achieved, with the government now pushing towards a goal of creating three crore more.
"Our girls are performing exceptionally well in education and diverse sectors, from the Drone Didi enhancing agricultural productivity to the Fighter Combat Leader in the Air Force. In the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, women won 8 out of India's total tally of 13 gold medals," she said.
The President also highlighted political inclusion, pointing out that the enactment of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' in 2023, which reserves 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies, will make Indian democracy more inclusive.
Calls for support to transform India
Speaking on sustainable development, she asserted that India is playing a leading role globally in protecting the environment, having achieved several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 ahead of schedule.
Reciting a Santali language poem penned by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, she urged citizens to remain committed to preserving nature and human values, linking individual action to national initiatives such as 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE).
The President also paid homage to freedom fighters, Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for integrating over 550 princely states. She also solemnly remembered those who lost their lives or faced displacement during partition, observed on August 14 as 'Vibhajan Vibheeshika Smriti Divas'.
She invoked Telugu writer Gurajada Apparao's lines, "A nation is not just its land, a nation is all its people", urging every citizen to contribute wholeheartedly to transforming independent India into a fully developed nation by 2047.
