New Delhi, January 25 2009: DEVELOPMENT OF basic infrastructure in the country, including in the North Eastern region should be expedited, said President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil to the nation on the eve of 60th Republic Day of India today. While referring to the insurgency infested north eastern region of the country Patel said "The poor and the disadvantaged people need to be drawn into circles of growth, to avoid their alienation from the mainstream.".

Her speech mainly focused on the country's development.

"We are seeking to address inequities in the growth process through an inclusive approach that brings within its ambit all regions and all peoples.

This assumes even greater importance in these difficult days of economic stress.

Economic opportunities should also be accessible in the remotest areas" she said.

Welfare and development schemes implemented in earnest can bring about tangible difference to the lives of the people.

Development partners, working with the utmost commitment and without the taint of corruption, can be the agents of change.

Improvement in the human development parameters is important to create a productive work force and an enriched society.

It is Gross Domestic Product along with welfare of the people that are the twin pillars of a progressive nation, the lengthy address of the President which began with "My dear fellow citizens" said She also extended her good wishes to the citizens from all walks of life, living in the country and overseas with special greetings to the members of our Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces who guard our frontiers on land, sea and air.

"I also extend my greetings to the Central and State level police forces, including our internal security forces.

Today is also an occasion to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the nation.

We owe a deep gratitude to them." For six decades, the country has been a democratic republic and has been guided by the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

The 60th milestone is marked with the many successes that the country has achieved in different fields, and a host of issues that need our attention, she said.

She also expressed concern of the increasing activities of the terrorists in the cities of the country which claimed lives of many innocent citing that the concerted and well planned attacks in Mumbai stand out as an example of a ruthless operation undertaken to damage the confidence of India.

"The nation was outraged.

However, contrary to what the terrorists had hoped, the event saw the emergence of a unified and strong voice from India.

The elections that were held after the Mumbai attacks to the Legislative Assemblies of some of our States, including Jammu and Kashmir saw a large voter turnout, reaffirming the faith of the people of India in a democratic polity.".

�Unity is our greatest strength.

It is that unique amalgam which transforms the over one billion individuals of the country into an over one billion strong resolve of one nation.

It is this unity which has seen us through difficult times and is what we must preserve as we seek to fulfill our national ambitions and goals,� she said. One of the priority tasks facing in the country is to secure the nation against terrorist and fundamentalist elements, she said in her address stating that government has put in place a new agency to deal with terrorist threats and has also brought in legislative changes.

The lengthy speech which also aired to the AIR and Doordarshan concluded with an appeal to all citizens to bring forth their very best to serve the nation.

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