The upcoming address by the President of India to the joint sitting of Parliament is set to be a powerful articulation of the government's vision to build a developed nation, with a central focus on discarding the colonial mindset and a relentless drive for reforms. The speech, which marks the commencement of the crucial Budget Session, will revolve around the themes of "reform, perform, and transform" and the mission to rid the nation of a "mentality of slavery."
Ministries Contribute to Thematic Address
In preparation for this significant parliamentary event, various ministries of the central government have been directed to submit their detailed inputs aligned with these core themes. According to sources familiar with the development, an informal group of ministers is actively deliberating on the agenda to shape the President's speech. The selection of these themes is a strategic move, directly tied to the government's ambitious target of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
The emphasis on eradicating traces of colonialism from the national psyche has been a consistent talking point for the administration since August 15, 2022. On that Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from the Red Fort, made it one of his "Panch Pran" or five pledges for the nation. He urged citizens to actively identify and remove any vestiges of colonialism in their thoughts and daily habits.
A Sustained Push Against Colonial Legacy
Prime Minister Modi recently reinforced this commitment at the Veer Baal Diwas event, declaring that by 2035, the people of India will ensure the nation is completely liberated from the shackles of a slave mentality. This push is not merely rhetorical but is reflected in several symbolic and substantive actions undertaken by the government.
Key initiatives perceived as part of this broader plan to break from the colonial past include:
- The construction of the new, indigenous Parliament building.
- Renaming Rajpath to Kartavya Path, emphasizing duty over royal privilege.
- Plans to shift the seat of power from the historic South and North Blocks.
Reforms as the Engine for Growth and Development
Parallel to the cultural and symbolic shift, the government's address is expected to showcase the tangible outcomes of its reform agenda. Officials indicate that ministries will highlight the progress made in economic growth and the improved rankings in global indices like Ease of Doing Business as direct results of these policies.
Beyond recounting past achievements, the ministries' inputs will also outline future steps aimed at further enhancing the ease of living and ease of doing business for citizens and entrepreneurs alike. The President's speech, therefore, is poised to be a comprehensive roadmap blending national rejuvenation with concrete governance reforms, setting the tone for the legislative agenda in the Budget Session.
