President of India in Chandigarh; Graces the 90th Anniversary Celebrations of Indian Air Force; Attends Civic Reception at Punjab Raj Bhavan

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the 90^th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh today (October 8, 2022).

Later in the evening, the President attended a civic reception, hosted in her honour, at Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Addressing the gathering the President said that from social and religious reforms to freedom struggle, from agricultural revolution to industrial development, this region of Punjab and Haryana has played a very important role. The states of which Chandigarh is the capital have made a leading contribution in the development of Indian agriculture. In the 1960s, when our country was going through a food crisis, the farmers of Punjab and Haryana made the Green Revolution a success. The Green Revolution ensured the food security of the country.

The President said that Chandigarh has special significance for both Punjab - the state of five rivers, and Haryana - the cradle of Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita. It has the distinction of being the capital of both the states. People from both the states come to Chandigarh for education, employment, medical and many other reasons. Therefore, Chandigarh occupies a very important place in the lives of people of Punjab and Haryana.

The President said that every year, during the winter season, the issue related to the Air Quality Index gets discussed all over the country, especially in this region. Everyone suffers from the ill-effects of pollution. She said that the fundamental basis of the Indian way of life has been the harmony of humans with nature. The well-being of mankind lies in the art of living with nature.

The President said that along with the UT of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana have been endowed with many unique gifts by nature. It is our duty to cherish them. We should leave all those ways, which are not in accordance with nature, and through which pollution spreads. This applies to all of us. We should also take the help of science and technology in creating harmony with nature.

Speaking about women empowerment, the President said that in Indian culture we worship divinity in the form of Durga, Laxmi, Kaali and Chandi. We pray Gramdevi before entering our villages. She said that men and women are two equal stakeholders of our country. They should be given equal opportunities to move ahead. She noted that today women are marching forward in all areas with determination and hard work. In villages also nowadays girls are being given more opportunities to study and maketheircareers. From serving in border areas to being fighter plane pilots the women are today presenteverywhere. She said that it is the responsibility of society to encourage both girls and boys to move forward in life so that our country can march ahead.