Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday called upon people to take a pledge for a new-era Kerala, saying the state must move forward with compassion, tolerance, constitutional values and progressive development.
Satheesan hoisted the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations held at the Central Stadium here.
No Vande Mataram song was played in accordance with the direction of the Union government.
Deep Dive
What vision did Kerala CM V D Satheesan outline for the future of the state on Independence Day?
Why did Satheesan emphasize the need for leadership grounded in constitutional values during his speech?
How does Satheesan propose to address the disaster management challenges faced by Kerala?
As the national flag was hoisted, flowers were showered from an Indian Air Force helicopter.
Satheesan reviewed the various platoons and received the salute from marching contingents of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides and Student Police Cadets.
He began his address by remembering those who lost their lives in recent landslides and floods in the state.
{{/usCountry}}He began his address by remembering those who lost their lives in recent landslides and floods in the state.
{{/usCountry}}"The government will stand firmly by those families. As always, united as one, we will overcome any crisis. The government is devising a scientific system to face flood disasters. With everyone's support, we will implement it," he said.
Referring to the country's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and his vision for India's future, Satheesan said the people of Kerala too must take a pledge for a new era.
"On this Independence Day, we too must take a pledge for a new-era Kerala. A Kerala imbued with compassion, willingness to serve, and tolerance is what must emerge. Let our journey forward be powered by progressive development initiatives, constitutional values, hard work upholding secularism, and bringing together both the new generation and senior citizens," he said.
Satheesan said the nation, the world and Kerala were passing through a very critical phase.
"This is the time to analyse problems with utmost precision, look into the future, embrace the new generation, and step forward with care," he said.
He said democracy was a continuous dialogue and that opposition, questioning, open dialogue and correction revitalised democracy.
"Democracy is not about growing a single type of human being in a monoculture plantation, nurturing one language, one belief, and one lifestyle, nor is it about creating islets of hatred and dark corners of communalism that bend to every difference," he said.
Satheesan also distributed various police awards and bravery awards during the function.
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