Introduction

Ever since assuming office in 2007, in the year when India celebrated its 150th Anniversary of the First War of Independence and the 60th Anniversary of attaining independence, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's vision has been to build an inclusive society, a nation where the best interests of the people are served and where compassion is shown towards sections of society which need care.

Soon after India successfully completed its 15th General Elections the President swore in the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers in May this year, thereby enabling a smooth transition of power keeping in mind the mandate of the people.

Speaking for Inclusive and Balanced Growth

The President highlighted the cause of the unemployed, farmers, youth and women whose welfare is important for the overall balanced growth of the country. At the Governors' Conference held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in September 2008, the President took up the need to reassess issues relating to women's empowerment and to address the concerns of the North-Eastern region of the country. The Conference set-up a Committee to identify strategies for speedier socio-economic development of women. The Committee interalia recommended the establishment of the National Commission for the Empowerment of Women, which has since been accepted and is being set-up.

Creating SHG-NGO Synergy for Women's Economic Empowerment

The President believes that economic empowerment of women is a pre-requisite for gender equality. Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been found to be a successful vehicle for achieving this. The President therefore, whenever she interacted with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), encouraged both government and civil society to help and support women SHGs through technical support, training, credit facilities and marketing, thus creating an opportunity for their empowerment.

Emphasizing People Centric Administration

People's aspirations can be met through an administration which is people centric in governance. While interacting with officials of different All India Services and other civil services at various levels, the President has emphasized the urgent need to have a result oriented system of administration wedded to performance, in which the citizen would have confidence and a voice. Speaking to IAS Officers at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie the President said transparency and accountability were necessary if benefits of development and welfare schemes were to reach the target groups.

Sensitive, Responsive, Efficient and Affordable Justice Delivery

The President addressed various stakeholders in the legal fraternity and emphasized the need for a sensitive, responsive, speedy and efficient justice delivery system, which is affordable. She also emphasized the need for promoting alternate dispute settlement mechanisms to reduce pressure on the conventional justice delivery system.

Strengthening Food Security without affecting Natural Eco-Systems

While praising the role of our farmers and agricultural scientists in achieving food security for all, the President suggested measures to mitigate the difficulties of farmers and advocated debt waiver, innovative farming practices like dryland farming under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). The President also emphasized the necessity to maintain natural eco-systems while increasing food production.

Helping the Environment through Individual Contribution

The environment was another key area of focus. The President believes in setting examples through individual contribution. She inspired the residents of the President's Estate to join in efforts to conserve water, electricity and by pro-active action for using renewable energy sources as well as energy efficient equipment. In its second year, the 'Roshini' Programme in Rashtrapati Bhavan has become a multi-dimensional project seeking to change the President's Estate into a sustainable and eco-friendly township. Activities under the programme range from waste management, rain water harvesting, energy conservation and use of non-conventional sources of energy. Six women's SHGs have been formed within the President's Estate, each with an area of specialization, thereby setting an example of women's empowerment through activities in the day to day life of urban settlement.

Encouraging those who Battle Social Evils

Throughout her second year in office, the President interacted with and encouraged those who battle social evils. Such persons included those who personally took up the battle to change their lives and have now become the vanguard for social change. Such persons and groups were regularly invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Some of the persons invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan and felicitated were, Pinki from Chhattisgarh, Rekha Kalindi, Sunita Mahto and Afsana Khatun from West Bengal and Roshani Devi the Sarpanch of a village in Haryana.

This was done so that others would be encouraged to take up the cause, whether it is child marriage, the drive against alcoholism, discrimination against the girl child or any other social evil.

Towards a Humane and Compassionate Society

The President is concerned that even as India progresses economically it must still remain a humane and compassionate society. The President therefore strongly took up the issue of ragging on college campuses. She solicited effective intervention of the Governors, to take steps in their states to prevent this inhuman practice. She has also advocated measures for the welfare of the disabled. Those who have overcome their disability have always received encouragement from her.

Visiting Various Regions of the Country

Keen to interact with as many people as possible, the President visited over 12 states during the year including some in the North East. The President during these visits went to various defense establishments and Forward Areas where she encouraged troops and appreciated their valour and role in defending the nation's borders.

Projecting the Nation's Concerns to the International Community

The President undertook overseas visits to the East (Vietnam and Indonesia) and the West (Spain and Poland) during the year. In her interactions during these visits, as well as during her interactions with foreign dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she has conveyed India's keen desire for friendly relations, highlighted issues of concern particularly terrorism and called for the early correction in the composition of international institutions like the UN, the IMF and the World Bank to bring them in tune with current realities.

Conclusion

As the President completes her second year in office, her work to serve the nation continues.

The release issued at 1600 hrs