SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT A FUNCTION BEING ORGANIZED BY THE NANHI CHHAAN FOUNDATION

Gandhi Darshan, Delhi, 9th April 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be participating in this function jointly organized by the Gandhi Smriti and Gandhi Darshan, alongwith the Nanhi Chhaan Foundation, which is focusing on the topic - saving the girl child, the improving environment by planting trees and promoting harmony through secularism. I was also impressed with the performances of the school children, as well as the invocation and dance performance. I was really touched by the powerful messages. I wish the performances could be taken to the people. It would let the people understand the problem and reassess the situation.

Gandhiji, the Father of our Nation, was a great visionary. His commitment to tolerance and non-violence, were the pillars of his vision of a world, in which the forces of harmony would unite to create a peaceful world, so that humanity could progress. Gandhiji articulated his views on all the three issues on which this function has been organized. On women, he said, "Man can never be a woman's equal in the spirit of selfless service with which Nature has endowed her". On trees, he was concerned about their depletion and degradation, given the immense benefits trees have for human beings. He said, "Trees bear the fierce heat of the Sun and yet provide cool shade to us, and what do we do?" In the context of religion, he spoke as a true spiritualist saying, "Though we may know Him by a thousand names, He is one and the same to us all."

With such deep wisdom as our guidance, where do we stand up today? The 2011 provisional Census figures have just been released. The picture shows that the female ratio of our population remains low. It is 940 females per thousand males. I think it is becoming a pathetic situation. But what is more alarming is that in the 0-6 year child group, the female population ratio is 914 - the lowest since independence. The picture becomes that much more distressful, when it reveals that this low ratio exists in the more prosperous areas also. This imbalance in population is caused by social prejudices that have led to condemnable practices of female foeticide and female infanticide, which in my opinion and, I do not think that anyone can dispute it, needs urgent corrective steps. We need a new social movement for gender equality - a movement that changes society's attitude towards women and promotes an understanding, that women and men have a complementary and supplementary role to play in building a happy home, a peaceful society and a prosperous future.

For a chariot to move forward, both wheels have to be strong, and if one is weak, it cannot move forward. So to move the chariot of our country forward, both the wheels - men and women - have to be strong and move ahead jointly. Our full potential as a nation will only be realized when women, are given opportunities to fully realize their potential. As long as that does not happen, almost half the talent of the country would be lost. We as a nation cannot afford to do that.

The mindset that a girl is a burden arises from social evils like the dowry system. Dowry is killing the girl child and the sentiments of love and affection. It also exposes the family of the girl to a sense of subordination, and indeed, a feeling of being beholden to the boy's family. It is high time that this is changed, and in this, men and boys should take the lead. Girls with education and opportunities have excelled in studies, in sports, in arts, in sciences and have brought laurels not only to their families, but to the nation. Hence, we must focus on education and health of the girl children, as well as empowering her economically as financial freedom is a must.

It is important that the campaign about the girl child be undertaken not in a routine manner, but in the form of a concerted effort to create awareness, and an understanding in society that the girl child is needed and is not a liability. I would urge the Government, NGOs and civil societies to work in this direction. I am impressed that some young poets in our country have written on the theme of a girl child, and I quote a few lines from one of them titled- : which are

A world without women is a world without, those members of the family who bring so much joy and gentleness in our lives. Life will become dry if women disappear. It is a world without grandmothers, it is a world without sisters, it is a world without mothers and if there is no mother - the human race will come to an end.

I appreciate the efforts of Nanhi Chhaan, as it has in a sensitive way, linked the nurturing of a girl, with yet another aspect about which we need to be worried, and that is the environment, which is represented by trees in their campaign.

Trees give shade; they give fruit and give us rich counsel in giving and nurturing. They teach us how to survive, whether in the harsh winter, or in the scorching heat, but yet give us the joys of spring and fruits of autumn. They teach us that life comes in cycles, and we must be able to go through the difficult times with strength, for in doing so, we overcome difficulties to achieve success. Trees can also be companions to children. Nurturing of trees is like nurturing of a child. Like the Earth nurtures saplings, parents must nurture their girls, lest there is a social crisis. The daughter gives love and affection to the parents throughout her life. I do not know how far it is true, but there is a saying that a son is a son, till he gets a wife, but a daughter is a daughter throughout life. Moreover, it must be remembered that the girl child will be a productive citizen and a mother, and the sapling will be a tree - both of whom will bring numerous returns. Both represent great hope for the future. This is the message that must spread to the people.

Ancient wisdom in all parts of the world has always referred to trees and forests as representatives of the human spirit, and habitats of the rich and varied flora and fauna of the universe. Sages and saints have meditated under trees. Buddha attained enlightenment under the Pipal tree. In a famous poem, 'A Forest Hymn', William Bryant described the grove of trees as - God's first temple. This is true as trees represent harmony. It is this spirit of harmony that we need to bring to the world.

Secularism is an important pillar of our nation. In India, all religions of the world exist. If Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism have originated on its land, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism came here, and have existed here since long. All religions seek to create a sense of consciousness and engrave in us the values of compassion and duty. These values are fundamental to the continuation of humanity. The youth of our country, the future generation, must uphold always these values and the spirit of secularism. People of all religions are proud citizens of India. All of us must work together for the growth and the prosperity of our nation, and in a manner that all sections and segments of society benefit. There can be no space for any divisive agenda, and we should not waiver in our commitment to our intrinsic values and strengths, nor deviate from our national goals.

In the end, I would once again like to say that I am happy to speak on a theme which brings together three strands- the girl child, trees and secularism, all essential for the future. I also pay homage to Gandhiji, who once has been described as the greatest commander of the largest non-violent force of the world. Let us join this force of positiveness and constructiveness to move forward.

I conclude with my very warm wishes to each and every one of you, and to Nanhi Chhaan whose efforts I commend, and wish it all success.

Thank you.

JAI HIND.