President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the country on eve of Republic Day

President of India Ram Nath Kovind addressed the people of India on the eve of the 72nd R-Day on January 25, 2021.

The address by the President was broadcasted from 7 pm in the evening on the entire National network of All India Radio. It was also telecasted over all the channels of Doordarshan in Hindi which will be followed by the English version.

The official statement issued from Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that the broadcast of the President’s address in English and Hindi will also be followed by the broadcast in regional languages by Doordharshan’s regional channels.

It added that AIR broadcasted the version of the President’s address in regional languages from 9.30 pm onwards on its respective regional networks.

LIVE: President Kovind's address to the nation on the eve of the 72nd #RepublicDay https://t.co/Obuf3zwRMm

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 25, 2021

President Kovind's address on eve of Republic Day: Key Highlights

• President Ram Nath Kovind greeted the citizens of the country on the eve of 72nd Republic Day 2021 and mentioned India as the most vibrant and largest democracy. He added that in this land which is enriched by many festivals, diversity, our national festivals have been celebrated by everyone with great fervour.

Greetings to all of you on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day of the world’s largest & most vibrant democracy. In this land of ours, enriched by diversity, with many festivals, our national festivals are celebrated by everyone with great patriotic fervour: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/JFzgA7cvp4

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• While talking about the significance of the Indian Constitution, he mentioned that this day is to pause and think about the core value that our Constitution signifies. The values- Justice, Liberty, Equality & Fraternity- that are outlined in our constitution are sacred to the citizens of India.

This is the day to also pause & ponder over the core values that Constitution propounds. These values – Justice, Liberty, Equality & Fraternity – outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution are sacred to all of us: President Ram Nath Kovind https://t.co/I7tazc1aMl

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

•  Highlighting the contribution of farmers, President Kovind mentioned that every Indian salute the farmers, who made the vast and populous country like us self-reliant in dairy products and food grains. President also acknowledged that despite the numerous challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers were able to sustain the production. He assured that the nation is grateful and completely committed to the welfare of the farmers.

Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made our vast & populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products. Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges & COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers sustained agricultural production: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/ll1Lh9D8Ri

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• President Kovind talked about the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in protecting the borders of the country. He mentioned that from freezing cold at Siachen &Galwan valley in Ladakh to scorching heat in Jaisalmer, our warriors have been vigilant every moment.

From freezing cold at Siachen & Galwan valley in Ladakh with temperatures as low as -50 to -60°C to scorching heat in Jaisalmer with temperatures as high as 50°C – on land, in the skies & at the vast coastal areas – our warriors are vigilant every moment: President https://t.co/wu0959Vwag

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• In his address on the eve of Republic Day, the President of India talked about doctors, scientists, administrators, and people from other walks of life, who made a major contribution in containing the COVID-19 virus and keeping the fatality rate lower in comparison to the developed countries.

Our scientists, along with doctors, administrators & people from other walks of life, have made major contribution in containing the virus & keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compared to that in developed countries: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/qTBTMUoJLS

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• As the world faced difficult times in 2020, President specifically appreciated soldiers, farmers, and scientists for their contribution and hard work. He added that grateful India meets them on this auspicious occasion of Republic Day. 

Our farmers, soldiers and scientists deserve special appreciation and a grateful nation greets them on this auspicious occasion of the Republic Day: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/YYAz1uNIED

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• In his address, President Kovind while talking about the pandemic stated that in view of reducing the risk of such pandemics in the future, the issue of Climate Change would also be accorded top priority at the global level. 

I am sure that with a view to reducing the risk of such pandemics, the issue of climate change will be accorded top priority at the global level: President Ram Nath Kovind in his message to the nation on the eve of 72nd Republic Day pic.twitter.com/21X4Eh1wCK

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• While highlighting the economic growth of India, President Kovind mentioned that the economic reforms continue at pace and are supplemented by the long-pending reforms in the area of agriculture and labour through legislation. He also talked about the misapprehension that might occur at the initial stages of the reform. However, the President assured that the government has always been devoted to the welfare of the farmers. 

Economic reforms continue apace & supplemented by long-pending reforms in areas of labour & agriculture through legislation. Path to reform at initial stages may cause misapprehensions. However, it's beyond doubt that govt remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare: President pic.twitter.com/bBpwkeDwXj

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• President Kovind talked about the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country and stated that the health services and administration have been working with full readiness to make this exercise a success. He requested the countrymen to utilize this lifeline and to get vaccinated as per the guidelines. 

The administration and health services are working with full readiness to make this exercise (vaccination) a success. I urge upon countrymen to utilise this lifeline & get vaccinated as per guidelines. Your health opens the way for your advancement: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/nH5kUfcmJr

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

• While talking about the difficulties that India faced, President Kovind mentioned that 2020 was the year of adversity that came from many fronts. India faced an expansionist move on its border and its brave soldiers foiled it.  Remembering the sacrifice of 20 soldiers, President mentioned that the nation will remain grateful to them.

Past year was a time of adversity, & it came from many fronts. We faced an expansionist move on our borders, but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives. The nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers: President pic.twitter.com/XChHBDWxaQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

•  President Kovidn during his address on the eve of Republic Day admired the defence forces- Air Force, Army, and Indian Navy- who have been adequately mobilized in a well-coordinated move to defeat any attempt of undermining India's security. 

Though we reiterate our commitment to peace, our defence forces – Army, Air Force & Navy – are adequately mobilised in a well-coordinated move to thwart any attempt to undermine our security. Our national interest will be protected at all costs: President Ram Nath Kovind https://t.co/1as3lLZ5Ju

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

No Foreign leader as Chief Guest:

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there will be no Foreign head of state as Chief Guest for Republic Day 2021. It will be the first time in five decades that the country will not have a Chief Guest for the celebrations.

The Ministry had informed that because of the global COVID-19 situation, India has decided that there will be no Foreign Head of State as a Chief Guest for Republic Day 2021.

Smaller crowd for Republic Day celebrations:

Only 25,000 spectators have been allowed to witness the celebrations as opposed to the normal crowd which is around 1 lakh. Children below the age of 15 years will also not be permitted for entry.

The seating arrangements for the dignitaries and public have been made in light of social distancing norms and the chairs have been separated by several feet.

Reportedly the size of the marching contingents will also be brought down from around 144 to 96 in each contingent. All the members of the contingent will also be required to wear masks, following the protocol announced by the government for the COVID-19 pandemic.

72nd Republic Day:

This day honours the date on which the Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. It replaced the Government of India Act as the governing document of India. The constitution turned Indian into a newly formed republic.

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India which came into effect on January 26, 1950, bringing a democratic government system. The constitution completed India’s transition towards becoming an independent Republic.