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This is the text of the speech that I had delivered, when I was awarded with the Karmaveer Puraskaar.
Read on...
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I am delighted to be here at the ‘Right Every Wrong conclave’, in the midst of an accomplished audience, who in their own right, have strived to be the change they wanted to see.
I am honoured to have been selected for the Karmaveer Puraskar which represents the spirit of millions of unsung heroes, who, despite all odds, are committed to building a resurgent India. And, I am proud to be a citizen of this great nation, which stands as the symbol of secularism and beacon of peace.
This gathering demonstrates what we as citizens can do, by exercising our duties towards our nation. It is symbolic of the power that is vested in the people of this country to bring about the change that they want to see, by their virtue and vigilance. This is a reminder for each one of us, as citizens, to reflect on the challenges that confront our great nation, to right every wrong and stand for the fundamental principles that our democracy represents.
Long years ago, it was Gandhiji’s innovative and peaceful citizen activism which has set an example to the rest of the world and laid the foundations for the birth of an independent India. A glimpse into the annals of history reveals that our nation, nurtured in the womb of peace, was born at the stroke of midnight, wriggling itself out of years of tyranny and oppression through peaceful expression of the collective will of millions of people who were denied their rights as citizens. It is this collective will which shaped India to be the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy. And today, as I speak, I can proudly claim that, India is a democracy born out of the collective will of millions of people who have risen above narrow and sectarian interests and worked towards building an independent India.
As our nation gears itself for the next elections, we have to remember that our vote is our voice, through which we represent, what we as a nation stand for. This is a time, which calls for our participation and vigilance in the voting process because this is the most effective way to protect the representative character of our nation’s democracy and is the means through which we can ensure good governance. Our vigilance and virtue in the voting process is the only responsible way through which our hopes and aspirations can be heard. Our votes are our weapons, which give voice to those who are the hope of the nation, who despite poverty of access and opportunity, come up with enterprise and innovation. Our vigilance and virtue in the voting process is the most effective way to ensure a responsible leadership for a rising India which we shall all build together.
But, as we speak, even after sixty three years of independence, as a billion people thrive, our living, breathing democracy has important issues to overcome and it has become clear to us that we have miles to go before we sleep.
We are growing economically, but there is no equitable distribution of this growth. We need to ensure that there is equitable economic growth. Millions of people have to be freed from the tyranny of poverty and need to be provided with opportunities that they deserve. Millions of children need to be provided with education and opportunities that will enable them to be, who they want to be. We have a long way to go in providing good health care and education to all.
But despite these challenges, there are vested interests that prioritize power over progress and try to subvert the democratic process to suit their narrow political interests. While some try to stir up communal hatred and religious fundamentalism, there are others who try to use bullets over ballots.
Therefore, it is our responsibility, as citizens, to use our votes. It is our responsibility to stand up and be vigilant against all those who try to subvert the democratic process. It is our responsibility to raise our voice to make progress a priority and reject all that is divisive, narrow and sectarian. It is our responsibility to ensure accountability of the democratic process. It is in our interest to make sure that our voice is heard, respected and represented by means of our vote. There is so much that needs to be done in India, and almost everyone – regardless of skills, income or social status, can contribute positively to the shaping up of our democracy through their vote, and in the process, solve important problems facing our nation.
This is the time for us to keep our difference aside and stand by the values and principles that the founding fathers of this nation have laid for us. This is the time for us to work together to ensure that our collective voices join together for a progressive tomorrow. This is the time to say, I care and this is the time to make our votes count by our virtue and our vigilance.
Thank You
Shrenik
26th November 2008, New Delhi
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