Nation will become 'viswaguru' in 25 years, says President Droupadi Murmu
Visakhapatnam, Dec 4: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday exuded confidence that the country would become the 'viswaguru' by the time it celebrated the centenary of its Independence (in 2047) with its pride restored.
Addressing the Navy Day celebrations at the Ramakrishna Beach here, the President said India was called great because it was such a country with people full of energy.
"People of India have such energy be it in music, sports, culture, soldiers everyone is marching ahead to take India forward. I am confident by the time India celebrates the centenary of its Independence, it will become the viswaguru and restore its pride," Murmu observed.
She, however, noted that there was a need to bridge certain gaps "so that every Indian can march forward with pride and step into the new and developed India".
The President said the Navy Day reminded one of the need to "rededicate ourselves to taking India forward, transiting through Amrit Kaal, towards a great future".
Noting that India was an inherently maritime nation with sea on three sides and high mountains on the fourth, the President said it was but natural that the oceans would play a vital role in the country's growth and prosperity.
"The Navy has a responsibility of ensuring an umbrella of security for India's national maritime interest. It remains firm in its perseverance, resolute in its commitment, futuristic in capability development and outcome-oriented in action, as was evident from this year's Navy Day theme Combat-ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-Proof'," she observed.
"Indian Navy is driven by Atmanirbhar, has a sustained reach and presence across the oceans and is propelled by innovation. As the Supreme Commander, I am confident that Indian Navy will continue to grow from strength to strength, aligned with a vision for new and developed India," the President added.
Calling Visakhapatnam "the jewel of the east coast", Murmu said it emerged as an important hub, paving way for India's secure future.
The President, who launched several developmental projects of the Union Ministries of Road Transport and Highways, Defence and Tribal Affairs, said they would contribute to India's holistic and inclusive development.
The National Open Air Range in Kurnool district, established by Defence Research and Development Laboratory, would serve India's defence preparedness and be an asset to the nation.
Highways development would decrease congestion and increase road safety, reduce travel time and facilitate faster movement of people and goods in the State, she said.
The President said the Ekalavya Model Residential Schools, four of which she inaugurated on Sunday, were playing a major role in providing quality education to tribal students.
"The EMRS at Buttayagudem, Chintoor, Rajavommangi and Gumma Lakshmipuram in different districts of AP will go a long way in educating tribal children and help in their all-round development through academics and extra-curricular activities. We must ensure that every child in India gets education, no matter where and in what condition they reside," Murmu said.
"Education must be accessible to each and everyone," she added.
After attending the Navy Day Reception at Anantagiri, the President flew to temple-town Tirupati.
After an overnight stay on Tirumala Hills, Murmu would offer worship to Venkateswara Swamy at the holy hill shrine early Monday.
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US vetoes Palestinian bid to gain statehood at the United Nations
United Nations, Apr 19: The US has vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council on the latest Palestinian bid to be granted full membership of the United Nations, an outcome lauded by Israel but criticised by Palestine as “unfair, immoral, and unjustified".
The 15-nation Council voted on a draft resolution Thursday that would have recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly “that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations.”
The resolution got 12 votes in its favour, with Switzerland and the UK abstaining and the US casting its veto.
To be adopted, the draft resolution required at least nine Council members voting in its favour, with no vetoes by any of its five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Palestinian attempts for recognition as a full member state began in 2011. Palestine is currently a non-member observer state, a status that was granted in November 2012 by the UN General Assembly.
This status allows Palestine to participate in proceedings of the world body but it cannot vote on resolutions. The only other non-member Observer State at the UN is the Holy See, representing the Vatican.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the US for vetoing what he called a “shameful proposal.”
“The proposal to recognise a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism”, Katz wrote on X, after the US veto.
US Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, said in the explanation of the vote at the Security Council meeting on Palestinian membership that Washington continues to strongly support a two-state solution.
“It remains the US view that the most expeditious path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the support of the United States and other partners,” he said.
“This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties.”
Wood said there are “unresolved questions” as to whether Palestine meets the criteria to be considered a State.
“We have long called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the attributes of readiness for statehood and note that Hamas - a terrorist organisation - is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution,” he said, adding that “For these reasons, the United States voted “no” on this Security Council resolution.”
Wood noted that since the October 7 attacks last year against Israel by Hamas, US President Joe Biden has been clear that sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with Israel’s security guaranteed.
"There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish state. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live in peace and with dignity in a state of their own. And there is no other path that leads to regional integration between Israel and all its Arab neighbours, including Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, sharply criticised the US veto, saying that it was “unfair, immoral, and unjustified, and defies the will of the international community, which strongly supports the State of Palestine obtaining full membership in the United Nations.”
Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said that “our right to self-determination has never once been subject to bargaining or negotiation.
“Our right to self-determination is a natural right, a historic right, a legal right. A right to live in our homeland Palestine as an independent state that is free and that is sovereign. Our right to self-determination is inalienable...,” he said.
Getting emotional and choking up as he made the remarks, Mansour said that a majority of the Council members “have risen to the level of this historic moment” and have stood “on the side of justice, freedom and hope.”
He asserted that Palestine’s admission as a full member of the UN is an “investment in peace.”
On April 2, 2024, Palestine again sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting that its application for full UN membership be considered again.
For a State to be granted full UN membership, its application must be approved both by the Security Council and the General Assembly, where a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting is required for the State to be admitted as a full member.
Earlier in the day, Guterres, in his remarks to a Council meeting on the Middle East, warned that the region is on a “knife edge”.
“Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” Guterres said.
“Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence,” he said.
The UN, citing the Ministry of Health in Gaza, said that between October 7 last year and April 17, at least 33,899 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 76,664 Palestinians injured. Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 33 children, have been killed in Israel, the vast majority on October 7.
As of April 17, Israeli authorities estimate that 133 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are withheld.
