India will be developed when opportunities reach all: Prez

Nagpur: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday outlined an inclusive vision for a developed India, stressing that growth must be equitable and technology-driven. Addressing a gathering at the Brahma Kumaris' Vishwa Shanti Sarovar at Jamtha here, she said, "India will be truly developed when everyone has equal opportunities to advance, technology becomes a vehicle for development, and the benefits of progress reach every household."The President was speaking at the statewide campaign launch of the ‘Golden Era of Maharashtra through unity and trust'. Praising the state's contribution to national growth, she said, "Maharashtra presents examples of social, economic, cultural and spiritual development in the country. Strengthened by industry, agriculture, entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education and invaluable cultural traditions, it confidently moved forward, becoming a major leading hub in India's development journey. It is powering the entire nation's progress."
Calling for collective responsibility in nation-building, the President said, "Unity and trust are the pillars on which a powerful nation is built. When mutual trust grows in society, people rise above personal gain and work together for common public good," adding that participation will lead us forward on the path to a developed India.Murmu also recalled Maharashtra's rich legacy, describing it as a sacred land that was the birthplace of great ideologies and ideals of nation-building that awakened the consciousness of Indians. Referring to icons such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Dhondo Keshav Karve, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and B R Ambedkar, she said, "Their thoughts, struggles, and contributions empowered our nation. The inspiration derived from their life values continues to guide us." She emphasised that from these great personalities, we receive the message of patriotism, unity, and trust, which are essential for the country's all-round development.Referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the President said, "He was one of our nation's most inspiring figures who fought for justice and freedom. His struggle was for Swaraj." She added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sowed the seeds of public welfare, justice, vigour, leadership, and security-centred governance in India.Recalling India's civilisational stature and rich legacy, Murmu said, "There was a time when India was called the ‘vishwa guru'. It used to be the nest of golden birds." She emphasised that every phase of the nation's journey has its value, stating, "That era was also good. This era is also good and the coming era will also be good." She underlined that positivity and faith are central to reclaiming that stature.Linking the past to the future, she said the dream of a resurgent nation depends on collective resolve and constructive thinking. "I think we must leave negativity and be positive, and the day is not far when we dream of making Golden India," she said.She expressed confidence that programmes promoting inner peace, positive leadership and value-based development would further strengthen unity and trust in society and move the country forward on the path to a developed India.Governor Acharya Devvrat said unity and trust complement each other. "Where there is unity, there is trust; and where there is trust, there is unity," he said, adding, "Without unity, there can be no peace." Emphasising India's civilisational ethos, he said, "India has sent saints and spiritual teachers to the world, not invaders. We worked to win hearts, not territories." Calling for integrity in public life, he said, "Mind, speech and action must be one," and added that those whose private conduct is flawed cannot uphold moral public life. He urged people to come together like "water merging with water, becoming one and inseparable," stressing that India's foundational values are rooted in the Vedas and shared cultural principles.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said transformative change in society must begin at the grassroots. "Transformation in life begins from this very land," he said, adding that this is a time to build sensitivity and social awareness, even though it is also an era of technological and economic strength. He cautioned that while technology strengthened the economy, it also pushed individuals into stress and created social distances. "In such a situation, we must strengthen unity and trust. No matter what decisions the govt takes, unless society becomes aware, nothing will change," he said, describing the initiative as a movement for social awakening.Nagpur head of Brahma Kumaris Rajyogini BK Rajni Didi, additional general secretary of Brahma Kumaris, BK Mruthyunjaya Bhai, Rajyogini BK Chandrika Didi, were also present on the stage.