Those once in power now floating anti-national narratives and challenging our democracy: Dhankhar
Sunday, 01 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that it is unfortunate that challenges to India’s democracy and spirit of nationalism are emanating from people who once had been in governance or positions of authority. “To subserve narrow partisan interests they go to the extent of floating anti national narratives and comparing our great democracy with the system in the neighbourhood”, he said, while visiting CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum and interacting with its faculty and students on the first day of his two-day visit to Dehradun on Saturday.
Cautioning the youth, Dhankhar said, “These people make all efforts to lead us astray by camouflaging their real intentions and turning Nelson’s eye to the exponential, unprecedented growth of this country. Its economic upsurge and its phenomenal rise in the global comity of nations.”
He strongly criticised comparisons made between India’s stable democracy and systems in neighbouring countries. The Vice President urged the youth to rise against such narratives, exhorting them to neutralise, revoke and expose such damaging comparisons.
He pointed out that India, as the largest and most vibrant democracy, led by a Prime Minister serving a third consecutive term, should not be subjected to such derogatory observations. “How can this thought occur to anyone who believes in the nation, nationalism and democracy here?” he asked, condemning such narratives as “dastardly” and “beyond words.”
Dhankhar underlined the imminent challenge of climate change and natural disasters facing humanity.
Emphasising on the need for climate justice, he said that climate change disproportionately affects the vulnerable and that is why climate justice must be our guiding principle. Acknowledging the fact that as children of mother Earth all have a responsibility to protect and nurture the planet, Dhankhar praised the mainstreaming of the sustainable development agenda by Bharat into global commitments. “Reflecting our age-old spirit, essence of our civilisation, our Bharat has not only mainstreamed sustainability into domestic governance but has also steered global commitments because we don’t separate ourselves from the world. We say the world is one family- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Bharat has mainstreamed sustainability into global commitments. International Solar Alliance, Green Credit Initiative at COP 28 and the cross cutting theme of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). A theme extremely successful for societal development and growth, envisioning a mass movement stimulating behavioural change at the individual level with vital positive impacts,” he added.
Highlighting the critical importance of clean energy for sustainable development, the Vice President said, “Clean energy is not just another option; it is the only option. Without it, we face an existential challenge. Any other growth mechanism will threaten our planet.”
Calling upon the corporates and governments to support research and development, Dhankhar emphasised, “Research and development defines a country’s rise. Governments and Corporates must loosen their purse to propel research. Science and research play a crucial role in opening new avenues that propel India’s growth. I call upon the government and the corporate sector to put research on priority. Let there be greater involvement of finance in nurturing and developing research and development,” he added.
Dhankhar also pointed to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in India, a development that was once a distant dream but has now become a reality. He said that these advancements are receiving unprecedented support, contributing to the broader vision of a circular economy.
