New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, underscored the importance of integrity, discipline, and collective responsibility during her address at the Vigilance Awareness Week 2024 event. The theme for this year, “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” aligns with India’s age-old values, a sentiment President Murmu reinforced through references to historical records of Indian society’s adherence to law and simplicity.
Reflecting on the deep-rooted ideals of integrity in Indian culture, President Murmu cited ancient accounts by historians like Megasthenes and Fa-Hien, who observed Indians’ commitment to discipline and lawfulness. She emphasized that integrity is not just a moral imperative but a foundation for a unified society, where public trust in governance is a driving force behind the nation’s welfare and growth.
President Murmu highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption, describing it as a barrier to economic progress and social trust. “Corruption not only impedes economic growth but also erodes public trust, impacting the unity and fraternity among people,” she remarked. Recalling the annual pledge taken on October 31, Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, to safeguard India’s unity and integrity, she urged citizens to treat this commitment as more than a ceremonial gesture, but as a serious call to uphold ethical values.
Addressing the pursuit of material wealth, President Murmu warned against straying from moral values, emphasizing that true happiness is found in self-respect and fulfilling basic needs, rather than in the accumulation of wealth. She encouraged a collective stance against the notion that corruption is insurmountable, asserting, “Strong leadership and political will have brought significant progress in the field of cleanliness. Similarly, the Government’s policy of ‘Zero Tolerance Against Corruption’ will eradicate corruption from its roots.”
President Murmu also stressed the importance of swift and impartial legal action against corruption. She cautioned that delays or weak responses only embolden unethical behavior, while highlighting that the dignity of individuals must be respected in every action. “Our goal should always be to establish justice and equality in society, not to act with suspicion or malice,” she concluded.
The event emphasized the central role of ethical governance in India’s progress, inspiring participants to contribute to a corruption-free India, unified by trust and driven by a culture of integrity.