On 23rd Dec 2025, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu addressed the IB Centenary Endowment Lecture, and she reiterated that people-centered national security is the foundation for creating “Viksit Bharat,” or Developed India. She said that national security is a duty of all citizens, not just professionals.
Then, the president introduced “Jan Bhagidari, or citizen contribution, which is the key to national security.” The president emphasized the need to spread the Fundamental Duties, enshrined in the Constitution, through educational institutions, the media, and civil society organizations. By becoming actors rather than spectators, society will create a synergy that will effectively act as the finest force to deter any threat.
The President extensively discussed the connection between safety and prosperity. The President said that ‘Surakshit Bharat,’ or Secure India, is a precondition for achieving ‘Samriddh Bharat,’ or Prosperous India. Investment flows where there is stability in the matter of security and instability in one region automatically have a multiplier effect on the country’s economy. An achievement in the almost eradication of left-wing extremism was quoted in winning the trust of the people with the combination of operation-related strategies and socioeconomic inclusion.
Addressing the contemporary threats brought by the 21st century, the President listed the following as the major concerns: cybercrime, cyber fraud, and cyber fraud-related misinformation. Cyberspace demands the creation of technologically capable communities that will work as a firewall for the faceless cyber threats. By utilizing cyberspace to post about phishing and abuse, the people will be providing real-time information necessary for the development of predictive policing.
Lastly, the president concluded that the domestic security forces should always work in the spirit of service to win the confidence of the public. To shield citizens against misinformation and radicalization, there should be a community of proactive social media participants sharing fact-based versions of history. If the welfare of citizens becomes the core of its policies, India will tackle complex challenges and realize a peaceful and secure future.
