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The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has said that in the new world order of knowledge economy, we would win the race if we seize the opportunities and strive to achieve excellence in our output. Inaugurating the Uthrittathi Boat Race in Aranmula, Kerala today, he said that in the present era of global competition it is only the superior performance that wins the race. We can face this challenge only on the strength of our intrinsic merit and better standards of output. We must imbibe the quality of pursuit of excellence in life. The following is the text of Shri Shekhawat’s speech:
“I am very happy to be here. Kerala is extremely beautiful and picturesque. Also, with so many prominent religious places belonging to various faiths and beliefs, the whole region reverberates with an aura of spirituality.
I am thankful to Prof. Kurian and the organizers of this function for giving me this opportunity to be here with you today. This place combines both the enchanting beauty of nature as well as the piety of this centre of religious pilgrimage blessed by Lord Krishna known here as Sree Parthasarthy. I would like to compliment and greet the people here for keeping alive the sanctity of old traditions and values in life which are the noble characteristics of a mature and civilized society. Indeed, it is the time tested traditions which become our way of life and provide vitality and strength to face the challenges of changing times.
Friends, our civilization is one of the oldest in the world. Our country is fortunate to be blessed with ancient legacy of unique religious and spiritual traditions. Pluralistic and ethnic nature of our society is our precious national asset; various diversities provide unique richness and varied flavours; like the tributaries these all merge into the mighty river of Indian civilization. The diverse social and religious groups co-exist in harmony, always guided by the secular ethos embodied in our ancient maxim of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, which means the whole world is one family and that a common humanity unites all civilizations. Today, we need to imbibe within ourselves the contemporary relevance of this time tested maxim.
Ladies & Gentlemen, this boat race is being staged in the midst of Onam festival, which has been the centre of Kerala's cultural life since ages. Onam is Kerala's colourful harvest festival and a visit during this time is certainly an opportunity, which I would long cherish. In fact, most of our popular festivals across the country, be it Baishakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, Nuakhai in Orissa or Onam in Kerala, celebrate the joys and jubilations associated with new harvest. These festivals capture in vivid detail the beauty and variety of the culture and traditions of the respective States.
Friends, the tradition of organising the boat race in Kerala is also full of contemporary significance. Everyone of us has to participate in one race or the other. In fact life itself is a journey and a race which we all run. What is important is how well we run it. Our endeavour should be to run the race of life with everyone together. It should be an inclusive race; for that only will build an inclusive society. We have to ensure that in this race the poor and the deprived sections are not left out.
Throughout my public career of over fifty years, it has been my conviction that the poorest amongst the poor should get priority in joining the race of progress and development. This is what I call the Antoyadaya philosophy which means the focus of development should be unto the last. It was with this approach that Antoyadaya Scheme to uplift of the poorest amongst the poor in every village was launched in Rajasthan when I became Chief Minister for the first time in 1977. I believe welfare of the common man should receive the highest priority in all programmes for people’s development.
The present era is of global competition. We can face this challenge only on the strength of our intrinsic merit and better standards of output. As you know, it is only the superior performance that wins the race. We must, therefore, imbibe the quality of pursuit of excellence in life. In the new world order of knowledge economy, you would win the race if you seize the opportunities and strive to achieve excellence in your output
Friends, no doubt our achievements since independence have been very significant, impressive and creditable. But now our country needs to be on high growth trajectory. We need to run the race of progress and development very fast. In fact, we have to run much faster than ever before. Then only we shall achieve the vision of being a developed and prosperous nation by 2020. Then only we shall be able to give our youth an India of their dreams, a strong and fully developed India that will do posterity proud.
The task, no doubt, is going to be full of challenges. We will need to have a better system of governance, a healthy environment conducive to development and growth. We need to provide our people a hassle-free and corruption-free governance. The key issues and challenges which retard the speed of our racing boats of development must be addressed with a sense of seriousness and urgency. Measures such as reforms in administration, judiciary, electoral system and for population stabilization and control of HIV/AIDS need to be taken up early. I have no doubt our burning desire to progress fast would be adequately matched with requisite appropriate measures well in time.
Friends, the aim and objective of running the race of life is to increase human happiness, establish social harmony, peace and tranquility. As inheritors of rich and precious heritage, we are uniquely placed to build a new paradigm of social conduct which integrates our time tested traditional value system with modern scientific outlook. We need to rekindle moral and ethical values in life. We need a value based national character comprising attributes of compassion, care, fellow-feeling, cooperation and other humane values. That will ensure weaving a new web of life with strong moral fibre, ushering in a saga of peace, harmony and beauty and a new social order with high index of human happiness.
With these words, I have great pleasure in inaugurating the boat festival. I am sanguine this festival would keep alive the hoary religious tradition as well as the vibrant and indomitable spirit of adventure for progress in life. ”
AK/SK/JA
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