Patil stresses importance of dialogue, hits out at negativity and rejection

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President Pratibha Patil today underlined the importance of the constant expression of opinions in a democracy and said the process of incessant dialogue should flow in such a manner that people were willing to listen to each other.

 

"Those who believe in democracy must try to see whether there is rationale in the others’ point of view," she said in her address to the nation on the eve of the 63rd Republic Day.

 

"The purpose of discussions and deliberations is to find solutions. Often, we are quick to find blame with others; but, yet are unable to give constructive responses. There seems to be a tendency to doubt almost everything. Do we not have faith in our own people’s strengths and in our institutions? Can we afford distrust amongst ourselves?" she asked.

 

She said nations were built through great patience and sacrifices and concord and not discord was the way forward for a country as large as India.