SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE 21st MOORTIDEVI AWARD CEREMONY

New Delhi, 18th March 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to present the Moortidevi Award to Dr. Veerappa Moily. This Award, which was started in 1983, is given annually to a literary work that underlines human values which are rooted in Indian philosophy and cultural heritage, with a view to fostering commitment to higher values in life. I congratulate Dr. Moily on being honoured with this prominent literary award. It is an acknowledgement of the immense contribution his works have made to Indian literature.

Our aim is to build a strong nation and an enlightened society. In achieving this, literature plays an important role. While literature definitely requires a sound knowledge of language, it is much more than a command over the grammar and vocabulary of the language. Literature is a summation of the vast knowledge and imagination of the human race. It encapsulates the philosophy, values and traditions of a civilization.

India has a rich tradition of literature, ranging from Vedic literature to the Epics of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, to the grand poetic imagery in the Shakuntalam and Meghadoot of Kalidas. From the tales of the Panchtantra and Jataka, to political philosophy of Chanakya's Arthashastra, we indeed have a long history of literature in our country that covers the social, ethical, economic as well as political approaches and dilemmas faced by individuals, communities and nations. At different points of time in the history of our country, there have been poets, writers, philosophers and religious leaders, who have spoken of the complexity of life, and propounded that the essence of a worthy life is one where the welfare of humanity is the guiding force. The Bhakti Movement and our Freedom Movement were both influenced by the verses and writings of great men and women.

Every region of our country has produced literary giants who have inspired and motivated people with the richness of their ideas and the intensity of human emotions. There have been great literary works in Kannada literature from ancient times, which have had a deep influence on Indian thought. Its 'Vachana Sahitya' is literature for the common man in simple language and is unique. I am told that Kannada literature has received the highest number of Jnanpith Awards, besides many Sahitya Academy awards.

The Moortidevi Award being given to Dr. Veerappa Moily is yet another acknowledgement of the significant ongoing work in Kannada Literature. He has, as a writer, forayed into many forms of writing. His literary armory consists of novels, books of poems, collections of essays and plays, including his magnum opus "Shree Ramayana Mahanveshanam", for which he is being conferred the Moortidevi Award today. The title of this ambitious epic is 'Mahan -anveshanam' meaning great exploration and examination. Dr.Moily has tried to explore the principles of an ideal State in modern times. We heard excerpts from Dr. Moily's epic. According to him, what present day India has to learn from the Ramayana is to build a nation out of many voices, many cultures and many peoples. Clearly, in his vision, the values of secularism and multi-culturalism are essential for the future of India. When we talk of the future we cannot forget that it is the youth who are destined to play a major role in taking India forward, and making it a developed nation. It is important to nurture the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of their personality and also inculcate the right values in them. Literature has a social responsibility. It can have an inspirational influence when it profiles issues which make our youth conscious, that a life without virtue is like a flower without fragrance. Literature can be an instrument of bringing harmony to society and strengthening national unity. Writers can contribute to the national integration process, as well as to eradicate social evils, by creating awareness amongst the people through their writings. Their writings can also be a unifying force for the country when they emphasise "Indianness".

Dr. Moily has the exceptional distinction of being a prolific writer and a person actively involved in public life. He is, indeed, a rare combination of a politician and a literary figure. His own life has been remarkable. He has constantly struggled against odds and through perseverance and hard work, he has overcome constraints to achieve success. He has been elected a member in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly six times, been a Minister in Karnataka and served as its Chief Minister. He is now a Cabinet Minister at the Centre.

Dr. Moily has been a harbinger of change. As the philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". Dr. Moily has not been a mere bird of passage, but has left an imprint in what ever work he has done. He was the Chairman of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission of the Government of India, which made wide-ranging recommendations to strengthen the administrative machinery of the country, so as to make it more responsive and accountable in its work. Good governance is what people are increasingly expecting. It means establishing simpler and more convenient systems while dealing with the public. The effort should be to take Government to the doorsteps of the people and, in case of grievances, there should be a fast-track mechanism to address them. Benefits of growth must reach all sections of society, especially the disadvantaged and the marginalized for achieving inclusive growth. In this context, the effective implementation of welfare schemes and policies is very important. As the Minister of Law and Justice, Dr. Veerappa Moily has been energetic and has been looking at an agenda of judicial reforms in consultation with stakeholders. I wish him the very best and I once again congratulate him for winning the Moortidevi Award. I also convey my good wishes to the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust and compliment it for the work that it is doing to promote literature in Indian languages.

Thank you.

JAI HIND.