29 Jan 2017

The Indian High Commissioner, Dr Ketan Shukla, has commended his country’s nationals for supporting Botswana.
The high commissioner was addressing the Indian community during the country’s 68th republic day celebration in Gaborone.

Reading a speech on behalf of the president of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Dr Shukla said by securing a constitution as an instrument of governance for their country back in January 1950, this helped steer India past its troubles of being a poor country with huge regional imbalances and a vast citizenry deprived of even basic necessity.

“Credit goes to strong institutions of democracy as democracy in India has been an oasis of stability in the region troubled by unrest,” he said.

Dr Shakla said India was one of the fastest growing amongst the major economies in the world.

He explained that the country was the second largest reservoir of scientific and technical manpower adding that inclusive innovation will have to become a way of life while education has to keep pace with technology.

“A wise and discerning mind is necessary for democracy to flourish. More than the unison of ideas, a healthy democracy calls for conformity to the values of tolerance, patience and respect to others,” he said.

Dr Shakla also explained that as the Republic enters her 68th year, they must acknowledge that systems were not perfect. However the imperfections have to be recognised and rectified.

He was the view that time was also ripe for a constructive debate on electoral reforms and a return to the practice of the early decades after independence when elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held simultaneously.

He said it was for the election commission to take this exercise forward in consultation with political parties. BOPA