Remove bad fruit,but dont bring down the tree: President

The Presidents remarks were seen in the context of Anna Hazare and the anti-corruption movement that he led,though she did not specifically mention the social activist.

She said India can take pride in its democratic record but as in any functional democracy,it faces pressures and challenges. All issues,therefore,must be resolved through dialogue and there can be no place for violence. Negativity and rejection cannot be the path for a vibrant country that is moving to seek its destiny, she said,asserting that long term goals should not be lost sight of and everyone must work together on a core national agenda.

The President emphasised that those sharing the conviction in democracy must try to see the rationale in the others point of view,adding that concord and not discord is the way forward for a country as large as India. She conceded that the countrys institutions may not be flawless but they have coped with many challenges.

The Constitution has been and should be the compass guiding in nation-building. It is the charter of our democracy. It is the document guaranteeing individual freedoms to its citizens. It is the basis on which institutions of the state have been created and have derived their powers and functions, she said.

The President expressed the hope that in the spirit of national interest,matters of national importance are discussed and solutions found between different stakeholders. This would strengthen the roots of our democracy and the foundations of our nation. Often,we are quick to find blame with others; but,yet are unable to give constructive responses. There seems to be a tendency to doubt almost everything. Do we not have faith in our own peoples strengths and in our institutions? Can we afford distrust amongst ourselves?, she said.

She underlined that the foremost priority before the nation is removal of poverty,hunger and malnutrition,disease and illiteracy. All social welfare programmes must be implemented efficiently. Agencies involved in the delivery of services should have a strong sense of duty and work in a transparent,corruption-free,time-bound and accountable manner,she said.