Forces of globalization have created interlinked, interdependent world: Patil

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): Asserting that we are today living in a world that is complex and challenging, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Wednesday said the forces of globalization have created an interlinked and interdependent world.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 63rd Republic Day, President Patil said: "No country exists in isolation; it is continuously being influenced by external developments. All nations, developed and developing, are facing the impact of global economic instability, as well as problems of unemployment and inflation, in varying degrees. Indeed, the 21st Century has brought in its trail a host of issues at a breath-taking pace."

President Patil said there are growing aspirations of the people, coupled with their expectations of immediate solutions

"We are observing, an information explosion and ever-newer technological inventions. These have altered lifestyles and there is also a growing quest for materialism. There are persistent questions about how growth and resources will be shared in a more equitable manner," said President Patil.

"There are worries about the direction in which the human community is heading in this age of globalization, knowledge and technology," she added.

President Patil further said the discourse is about how an ancient civilization and a young nation will move ahead to take India to its destiny

" Our vision and our goals are clear. We look at building our country, as one whose economy demonstrates a robustness to grow, so that we can become a developed nation. For us, however, economic prosperity alone is not enough. We look towards an India, where there is equity and justice," said President Patil.

"We look at democracy, rule of law and human values, as being essential for making our country strong. We want a scientific and technological outlook in our people. We also look towards India as a country which will continue to bring moral force on to the global stage," she added.

Asserting that she believes there is a unity behind this vision of India, President Patil said: "But, yet, sometimes one gets distracted by discordant pulls and pressures. How should we proceed to build our nation and its people? I believe that the answer lies in our age old values; the ideals of our freedom movement; the principles of our Constitution, as also in our unity, a positive attitude and our aspiration to grow."

President Patil further said the ageless spirit of India, the eternal voice of India, has been resonating through millennia.

"What are those intrinsic qualities which have seen India prosper through centuries and eras? What is the message that should light our path, as we chart our future course? Our civilizational ethos contains the lessons of duty and truth," said President Patil.

"It tells us to be humane in all our thoughts and deeds. It highlights the qualities of compassion, care and of respect for others. It teaches that human beings and nature must exist in harmony with each other. All issues should be viewed in the context of humanity as a whole," she added.

President Patil also conveyed her greetings to the nation on the eve of the 63rd Republic Day.

"I convey my special greetings to the Armed Forces and the Para-Military Forces who guard our frontiers with great vigil and valour, in high mountainous terrains, deserts and the plains, on the coasts and the seas. I also convey my best wishes to our internal security forces and to our civil services. I compliment all citizens for their contribution to the process of nation-building," she said. (ANI)