SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE CIVIC RECEPTION IN HER HONOUR

Panjim, Goa, 23rd November, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is my first visit to Goa as President. Goa has its own significance. I am deeply impressed with its beauty, its progress, its cosmopolitan society and its friendly people. I begin by extending my warm greetings to the people of Goa and wishing them greater success and prosperity.

Goa is renowned for its scenic beauty, its rich architectural heritage, its vibrant culture and its diverse flora and fauna. This makes it a tourist paradise, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors. I understand that Goa is so popular among travellers that their number every year is larger than the population of the State. Maintaining its reputation as a tourist destination would require a continuous focus on developing and maintaining the tourism infrastructure, looking after the safety of tourists, as well as the hospitality services sector, by all stakeholders.

Given that tourism is a major revenue and employment generating sector of the Goan economy, I am sure that efforts would be made in this direction, alongwith work to conserve and preserve the unique natural environment of Goa, which can further promote eco-tourism. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and on the Western Ghats, Goa can boast of attractive water falls, wild life sanctuaries besides considerable forest coverage. Many countries of the world have greatly benefited from their forests.

We must look at better management of our forests, which have a wide diversity of flora and fauna including medicinal plants. They can be important in generating social, economic and environmental benefits. More afforestation efforts should be undertaken in areas where mining has occurred. The interest of local residents should not be lost sight of.

The truest measure of a progressive state is the welfare of its people and their development. Since becoming a full-fledged state in 1987, Goa has sought to follow a model of combining economic growth with social progress, environment protection and cultural advancement. This vision of comprehensive development has resulted in good overall progress of the State.

It should be the effort of every Government to reach the benefits of growth to all sections of society. It is only when the most disadvantaged are brought into the mainstream, that true progress will be achieved. Basic facilities of health should be made available to all. The light of knowledge should touch every home and every individual. The State of Goa has good indicators of health and education. I congratulate you for it, but would urge that efforts to enhance these facilities must continue.

The aim should be 100 percent literacy and upgradation of the standard of education at all levels, to produce skilled workers with higher levels of productivity. It is only then that we can have a strong base for sustainable growth. The State Government should look at developing Goa into an Education Hub which will attract institutes of excellence at various levels for diverse sectors. Tomorrow, I will be at the Goa University for its Annual Convocation. I will emphasis that in today's age of competition and knowledge based society, our Universities must provide the necessary environment to nurture talent and create an environment in which the talent of our youth has the space to grow. What they learn and what values they inculcate will shape the future.

While it is our duty to provide education and skills to young people, they too must be responsible. There is a tendency to consume drugs among the youth. I urge our young people to be cautious. They should be made aware of the negative fall-outs of drug consumption through awareness campaigns.

We must have pragmatic and employment oriented vision for our youth in the new, emerging and growing sectors like IT, Biotech, Nanotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, amongst others. We should also focus on promoting self employment options and encouraging them to set up their own enterprises. I am told that with a view to generating employment for local youth, the State Government is pursuing a policy of encouraging small and medium enterprises and has also adopted a pragmatic industrial policy for non-polluting industry. I wish success in this endeavour.

Goa has been increasingly moving towards urbanization in the last decade. Provision of civic amenities, systematic urban planning, green and clean cities, management of waste and proper urban governance are important to have clean and livable cities. Every inhabitant has a role to play and I have great confidence that the people of the State would work together to keep Goa clean, to maintain its heritage, its beauty and its healthy environment. Along with making urban centres attractive, rural areas should also develop. Panchayats play a pivotal role in development of villages by carrying out mobilization campaigns and in the implementation of social welfare programmes. Panchayats are decision-makers and stakeholders in rural development and strengthen democratic traditions of the country at the grassroots level.

Destiny beckons our nation and all of us have to work collectively and to the best of our abilities to build a new, strong and resurgent India. Today, our country is counted among the major economies of the world. Due to our technically competent and talented human resource, it is amongst one of the global IT leaders. Our objective is to sustain a high economic growth rate and to have an inclusive growth process.

It is my wish that growth and prosperity reaches every part of the country and every section of society. All states, all regions and all citizens are a part of the effort to build a strong and democratic country. Goa has been contributing to the development of the nation in many ways and I am confident that it will continue to do so.

Goa is a much favoured location for the film industry. I understand that the 40th International Film Festival of India commences today and I would like to wish the participants from around the world who have gathered here, a pleasant stay and the organizers every success.

I shall carry back with me fond memories of Goa and its people. I am fully convinced of the sentiment behind the Konkani saying "Goenkarank udarponn fokot ek utor nhoi - ti amchi ek parampora. (Hospitality is not just a word for Goans - it is a tradition). I myself have experienced this warmth and hospitality during my stay here. Once again my best wishes to the people of Goa.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.