New Delhi, Jan 25 (Reporter) Addressing the nation on the eve of 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said sportspersons in the country have raised India’s profile on the international stage. Highlighting the achievements of Asian Games held last year, the President said, “We made history with a record-breaking tally of 107 medals, and we won 111 medals in Asian Para Games.” “We are glad to see that women are making a very impressive contribution to our medal tally. Our sports stars have inspired children to take up diverse sports and games, helping them boost their self-confidence. I am sure that our sportspersons, who are infused with this new confidence, will deliver an improved performance in the upcoming Paris Olympics,” Murmu added. In her speech to the nation, the President touched upon a diverse array of topics, including the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, G20 Summit, Women’s Reservation Bill, successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, economy, launch of LiFE Movement’ for adoption of environment-conscious lifestyle and technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. Earlier this week, we witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of the idol of Prabhu Shri Ram in the glorious new temple constructed at His birthplace in Ayodhya, the President said noting, “When this event will be seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in India’s continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage.” "The construction of the temple commenced after the due judicial process and the decision of the highest court of the land. Now it stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people’s faith but also as a testament to people’s enormous trust in the judicial process," she said. She further said that the successful hosting of the Group of 20 Summit in the capital, under India’s presidency, was an unprecedented achievement. What was all the more noteworthy was the way the people were involved in the G20 events. The G20 Summit also boosted India’s emergence as the voice of the Global South, adding a necessary element to the international discourse, the President said. Emphasising India’s progress towards the ideal of gender equality when the Parliament passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill, Murmu said, “I believe the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will prove to be a revolutionary tool of women’s empowerment.” “It will also go a long way in improving the processes of our governance. When more women will be involved in matters of collective importance, our administrative priorities will be more in tune with the needs of the masses,” she said. Recalling the milestones achieved in the space sector, the President said, “It was also the year when India went to the moon, becoming the first to land on the lunar south pole region.” After Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation rolled out a solar mission as well. Recently, Aditya L1 was successfully put into the halo orbit. We began the new year with the launch of our first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite called XPoSat which will study space mysteries like black holes, she said. “Many more space missions are planned in the current calendar year. I am happy to add that India’s space journey is slated to cross new milestones. Preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, our first human spaceflight programme, are proceeding smoothly,” Murmu added. India’s space programme is aimed at expanding and deepening the role of science and technology for the benefit of the entire humanity. The amount of enthusiasm we see in the country for the ISRO’s initiatives is heartening. New achievements in this area have fired the imagination of the young generation, she said. More children, I am sure, will become interested in science and cultivate a scientific temper. It will also inspire more youngsters, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and technology, the President said. Murmu also pointed out that the period of Amrit Kaal is also going to be the period of unprecedented technological changes. “Technological advances like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning have moved from headlines into our daily lives at a breathtaking speed. There are numerous areas of concern in the foreseeable future, but there are also exciting opportunities ahead, especially for the youth,” she said. They are exploring new frontiers. We need to do all we can to remove hurdles from their path and let them unleash their full potential. What they want is equality of opportunity. What they want is not the same old rhetoric of equality, but the realisation of our cherished ideal of equality, the President said. She thanked farmers and labourers for their contribution to creating a better future for the nation. "On the eve of this auspicious occasion, India also gratefully salutes the members of our Armed Forces, Police and Para-military Forces, without whose valour and vigil we would not have scaled the great heights we have," the President said. Murmu further extended Republic Day greetings to the nation including the members of the judiciary, civil services, the officials of India’s missions abroad and the diaspora community...////...