President Murmu hails women's rise, youth power on I-Day eve
New Delhi, Aug 14
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed deep satisfaction over the impressive performance of "India's daughters" in education and the expanding role of women across diverse fields, while underscoring the nation's young population as its most valuable asset.
In her address on the eve of Independence Day, the President noted that women are making significant contributions, from "Drone Didis" enhancing agricultural productivity to serving as Fighter Combat Leaders in the Air Force. At the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian women secured eight of the country's 13 gold medals.
Women's economic self‑reliance is also growing rapidly. Self‑help groups now have over 100 million women members. The target of creating 30 million "Lakhpati Didis" has been achieved, and the country is now advancing towards making another 30 million women new Lakhpati Didis. Nearly two‑thirds of the entrepreneurs receiving assistance under the "Mudra Yojana" are women.
Highlighting leadership and democratic inclusion, President Murmu said the increasing participation of women in voting is a special success for the republic. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Act), passed in 2023, reserves 33 per cent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and states' legislative assemblies. Achieving its goals, she observed, will strengthen women's leadership and make India's democracy more inclusive.
Turning to the youth, the President pointed out that 65 per cent of the country's population is under 35. Describing them as talented, committed and skilled, she said innovative solutions emerging at the grassroots level reflect their dedication to society and the nation.
The recent successful rocket launch by a young team with an average age of only 28 years has opened a new chapter in space exploration. President Murmu emphasised that students are the architects of India's future. The government is undertaking comprehensive reforms in public examinations to eliminate unfair means, enhance transparency and ensure a safe and reliable environment.
New economic opportunities are opening up, and youth should remain aware of them to chart fresh paths to success. She also stressed the importance of physical and mental health, calling on families and society to support young people as they move forward with enthusiasm.
Sports, she said, are being promoted as a medium for youth development and nation‑building. Under the "Khelo India" programme, a robust sports ecosystem is being built from the local to the national level, backed by unprecedented government investment. Indian athletes are achieving new heights in international competitions.
While India has the largest youth population, the number of senior citizens is also rising. The government has taken steps to improve their lives, with approximately 60 million senior citizens aged 70 and above entitled to free healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
Society as a whole, the President urged, must remain sensitive to senior citizens so that their sense of belonging and self‑respect is preserved.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The President's speech rightly highlights women's achievements, but we need to be careful about too much celebration when ground reality is mixed. My cousin tried to get a loan under Mudra Yojana and faced a lot of paperwork hurdles. Yes, the direction is good, but implementation at the block level is still patchy. We need to focus on making these schemes truly accessible, not just for urban women but for those in remote villages too. Also, reservation in Lok Sabha is only the first step—we need to see actual women representation in decision-making positions within parties.
Interesting to see the progress from India! The numbers on women's participation—100 million in self-help groups and 8 out of 13 gold medals at Glasgow—are genuinely impressive. The Drone Didi initiative sounds like a great innovative approach to modernize agriculture. Also, the fact that 65% of the population is under 35 is a massive demographic dividend. Hope these opportunities translate into long-term economic growth. Curious to see how this compares with trends in other emerging economies.
Good speech, but what about the coaching centres and question paper leaks? The President mentioned reforms in public examinations, but the ground reality is that students are still anxious about the system. Also, while we are celebrating women achievers, we should not forget the senior citizens who built this nation. My father is 78 and he still runs to the ration shop for subsidized grains. Free healthcare up to Rs 5 lakh for elders is helpful, but many hospitals in smaller towns are not equipped to provide quality treatment under Ayushman Bharat. Implementation needs more focus.
Finally, we are talking about women in real power! The 33% reservation is a landmark move. My daughter is studying agriculture science and she is determined to become an extension officer to train rural women in drone technology. Seeing Drone Didis in news made her so excited. Also, the President's emphasis on mental health for youth is much needed—our education system puts too much pressure on marks, and mental health is often
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.