President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) urged people to rise above caste divisions and strive for an inclusive society, saying the country must prioritise narrowing the gap between “the haves and the have-nots”.
Speaking at the ‘Samajik Samrasta Mahotsav’ held to mark the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar, the President said caste distinctions should be treated as a legacy of the past and called on people to progress together as one society.
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“Those who created the caste system are no longer there. We must move forward together and strengthen social harmony. In a way, there are now only two castes—the haves and the have-nots,” she said, emphasising the need to uplift those left behind.
Calling for unity, she said, “No one should think only of their own interest. We are all one. We are brothers and sisters.” She highlighted that India’s cultural ethos is anchored in compassion, equality, collective welfare and harmony.
“Rising above all divisions and standing united without discrimination is the true expression of social harmony,” the President said.
She added that all citizens are equal as children of “Mother India”, and there should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, class, language or region.
Importance of villages
The President underlined the importance of villages in shaping the nation’s development and social fabric.
“The soul of the nation resides in its villages. The path to building a harmonious society runs through villages. Despite diversity, there is affection, warmth and mutual understanding among people in villages, and this reflects the true spirit of Indian culture,” she said, adding, “If villages prosper, the country will prosper.”
Referring to Dr. Ambedkar, she said his vision of harmony was founded on liberty, equality and fraternity. Recalling his message of “educate yourselves”, she said education forms the basis of both individual growth and national progress.
Education as fundamental right
“At the very core of education lies the development of the nation and society. Our Constitution has made education a fundamental right. It is our responsibility to ensure that people from marginalised sections, whether in villages or cities, get access to education,” she said.
She added that education must also instil moral values, noting that holistic learning, especially moral education, strengthens social bonds.
The President also stated the need for good health and a clean environment, describing them as essential for overall development. She said steps are being taken to improve healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Encouraging individuals to contribute to society, she said, “Becoming successful is good, but it becomes meaningful only when you look back and see how many people you can help. You may not be able to change the entire nation, but you must ask yourself what you can do for others,” she said.
Role of governance
Highlighting the role of governance, she said efforts are being made to support sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture, while urging citizens to play an active role.
“The government is doing its duty, but people must also make efforts to move forward and become self-reliant,” she said.
The President also spoke about the importance of the cooperative sector and community participation in ensuring inclusive growth and social harmony, and encouraged activities such as sanitation drives, tree plantation and animal husbandry.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi were present at the event.
Published – April 14, 2026 07:02 pm IST
