New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday asserted that while India remains committed to peace, its armed forces are “adequately mobilised” in a “well-coordinated” move to thwart any attempt to undermine national security as he referred to the “expansionist” move by China in Ladakh last year.

“Our national interest will be protected at all costs,” the president declared in his address to the nation on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day during which he also sought to allay fears of farmers over the three contentious farm laws.

“The path of reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions but the government is singularly devoted to the farmers’ welfare,” he said, as the protests by the farmer unions demanding repeal of the three laws continues at border points in Delhi.

On the country’s efforts to fight COVID-19 , the President said an effective response to the pandemic would not have been possible without the constitutional value of ”Fraternity” among the people of the country.

He also took pride in the fact that India was called as “pharmacy of the world” for supplying medicine to several countries to contain sufferings across the globe.

He felt that after about a year of this “unforeseen ordeal”, India today stands “not despondent but confident.”

Paying tributes to the 20 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh last June during clashes with the Chinese troops, the president said the past year “was a time of adversity, and it came from many fronts.”

“We faced an expansionist move on our borders, but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives.”

Kovind said the nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers.

“Though we reiterate our commitment to peace, our defence forces – army, air force and navy – are adequately mobilised in a well-coordinated move to thwart any attempt to undermine our security. Our national interest will be protected at all costs. We have also ensured a widespread understanding in the international community of India’s firm and principled stand,” the president said.

India and China are locked in a nearly nine-month long military stand-off in eastern Ladakh.

He said adversity often plays the role of a great teacher and makes people stronger and more confident. With that confidence, India has taken great strides in several sectors.

“Economic reforms have continued apace and have been supplemented by long-pending reforms in the areas of labour and agriculture through legislation. The path to reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions. However, it is beyond doubt that the Government remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare,” he added.

Kovind said India is moving ahead and taking its rightful place in the world.

“During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part of the world. The manner in which India got overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as non-permanent member in the Security Council this year is indicative of that influence.”

He said the engagement with world leaders has enhanced manifold and India, with its vibrant democracy, has rightfully earned its respect as a responsible and trustworthy nation.

Paying tributes to the farmers, the president said every Indian salutes our farmers who have made our vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products.

He said that despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic the farmers sustained the agricultural production.

“A grateful nation is fully committed to the welfare of our farmers.”

The president said that like hardworking farmers ensure food security for the country, the brave soldiers of the armed forces ensure security of our national boundaries amid severest conditions.

“From the freezing cold at Siachen and Galwan Valley in Ladakh with temperatures as low as minus 50 to 60 degree Celsius to the scorching heat in Jaisalmer with temperatures as high as 50 degree Celsius – on land, in the skies and at the vast coastal areas – our warriors are vigilant every moment. Every citizen feels proud about the bravery, patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice among our soldiers,” he said.

He also spoke about the scientist community saying that by their contribution to food security, national security, protection against disease and disasters and to different areas of development they have strengthened the national endeavours.

“From space to the farms, from educational institutions to hospitals, the community of scientists has enriched our life and work. Our scientists have been working day and night for decoding the coronavirus and they have succeeded in developing the vaccine in record time. With this accomplishment, our scientists have added a glorious chapter of contribution to the well-being of humanity.”

He said that the scientists, along with doctors, administrators and people from other walks of life, have made major contribution in containing the virus and keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compared to that in developed countries.

“Today, India is being rightly called ”pharmacy of the world” as we are supplying medicines and other healthcare items to several countries to alleviate people’s suffering and contain the pandemic across the globe. Now we also provide vaccines to other countries,” the President added.

“The net outcome of all these efforts is before us.”

The slowdown has turned out to be transitory as the economy has regained its dynamism, the president said, adding that a self-reliant India has manufactured its own vaccine for COVID-19 , and is now undertaking a mass vaccination drive, which will be the largest exercise of its kind in history.

“The administration and health services are working with full readiness to make this exercise a success. I urge upon the countrymen to utilise this lifeline and get vaccinated as per guidelines. Your health opens the way for your advancement,” he said.

“I am sure that this love for humanity and the spirit of sacrifice will take us to great heights. He said let us look at 2020 as a year of learning.”

He said the call of ‘Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, or ‘Self-reliant India Mission’ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was for converting a crisis into an opportunity and is in line with the aspiration to shape a new India by the year 2022 when our country turns 75.

“This will be a significant milestone in the journey of the nation as we are determined to achieve major goals: from providing pucca houses with basic facilities for every family to doubling the income of farmers. In order to build an inclusive society of new India, we are giving special emphasis on education, health, nutrition, upliftment of the under-privileged and welfare of women,” he added.

Recalling the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi for making all efforts to wipe tears from every eye, the President asked people to remember constitutional mantras, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, and added that equality is the watchword for the great project of the Republic.

“Social equality warrants dignity for each one of us, villagers, women, weaker sections of our society, namely, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Divyang-jan and the elderly people. Economic equality entails equal opportunity for all and handholding for the downtrodden.”