Will Pranab Mukherjee’s Independence Day speech be political?

NEW DELHI: After his “political” speech following his oath, President Pranab Mukherjee’s first Independence Day address is being keenly awaited as it is felt that he might outline his views about governance and challenges before the country besides offering his vision of India.

The address on the eve of India’s 66th Independence Day will be closely analysed for any clues it may offer of the nature of Mukherjee’s presidency.

Although the President’s role is largely ceremonial, Mukherjee has been a quintessential politician and may choose to highlight concerns of the government he was a part of less than a month ago.

After taking oath on July 25 Mukherjee spoke about poverty and how the trickle-down effect was not working to alleviate suffering of the poor. “For our development to be real, the poorest of our land must feel that they are part of the narrative of rising India,” he said.

“There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger. Trickle-down theories do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor,” he said.

Mukherjee spoke in detail about corruption and was harsh in condemning terrorism which he referred to as the “fourth world war”.

Similarly, he used the occasion of Raksha Bandhan — a Hindu festival that symbolizes the bond between brother and sister — to speak about empowerment of women.

A brief press release on Monday regarding his interaction with newly- inducted forest officers says that he dwelled on how forest laws were devolved to the states in the 1930s when a constitutional mechanism began to evolve in India.

The President’s Independence Day address is traditionally not cleared by the Union Cabinet giving the incumbent an opportunity to expound a vision that can be a comment on the government and issues and also a guidance of sorts.

The President’s I-Day address is traditionally not cleared by the Union Cabinet giving the incumbent an opportunity to expound a vision that can be a comment on the government