Panjim: The Indian President Droupadi Murmu said that the approach of the world towards India has changed, even as the country has become the fifth largest economyin the world and is poised to become the third largest economy.
“With the mantra of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” in collaboration with G-20 countries. India is striving to find collective solutions to the present global challenges,” she said, adding “We have the right opportunity to showcase India’s potential and culture and we should take full advantage of this opportunity.”
She also expressed happiness at Goa’s performance on the parameters of the “Sustainable Development Goals,” while also describing the State as being among the leading states of the country in many areas of development.
The President was speaking at a civic reception in Goa, where she distributed “Sanad” under the Forest Rights Act to some beneficiaries on the occasion.
Praising the people of Goa for their generosity and hospitality, she said this characteristic of the people of Goa — along with the beaches and the natural beauty of the Western Ghats – plays an important part in attracting tourists.
Describing the rich forest cover as a priceless natural asset of Goa that needed to be conserved, she said the dense forests of the Western Ghats are the natural habitat of many wild animals and preservation of this natural heritage would give an impetus to Goa’s sustainable development.
She also emphasized that tribals and other forest dwellers be made partners in development while also preserving their traditions.
The President said that apart from being a tourist hotspot, Goa is also an important centre for education, trade & commerce, industry, technology and naval defence.
Highlighting Goa’s cosmopolitan culture as having a tradition of gender equality, the President expressed happiness at noting the number of girl students in Goa’s higher educational institutions being more than 60 percent.
She also stressed the need to increase the participation of women in the workforce of Goa.
Recalling the contributions of the people of Goa in various fields including sports, arts, public service, spirituality and literature, President Murmu expressed confidence that Goa would move forward while maintaining a balance between modernity and tradition.
Later, the President addressed members of the Goa Legislative Assembly at Porvorim, where she expressed happiness to “address the representatives of such people who believe in +One Goa+ and +One India+, despite following different religions, faiths and sects.”
She said that while Goa’s per capita GDP is almost two and half times higher than the national average, the State is also among leading states in the country on parameters like water management, export preparedness, innovation, education and health.
