In her address to the nation, her first since assuming office, on the eve of India’s 59th Republic Day, Patil lauded the country's "impressive" economic growth, but said the benefits of the upsurge in the economy had not reached all sections of India's population.

“In all good faith, we cannot look at the future without first addressing the needs of the underprivileged and the disadvantaged sections of our society, with special emphasis on the empowerment of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of society,” the president said.

Expressing her concern over the increasing number of farmers' suicide, Patil said: “I hope that steps taken by the government to ameliorate their problems will rectify this situation. The slow growth in the agriculture sector is a matter of concern, but I am very hopeful of its potential.”

Pointing out that the government has launched several welfare schemes for the rural and the under-privileged, the president called upon all the concerned to “deliver on social welfare schemes in a time bound manner as well as work with accountability and transparency. When you work for the development of a country, it is not merely a job that has to be done but it is a mission that has to be achieved.” 

“This should be the spirit in which development work is to be undertaken,” Patil urged.

Ignorance, a hurdle
The president also said, the  lack of awareness among the beneficiaries about the schemes has also been a hurdle in implementing programmes effectively.

“This situation needs to be rectified through awareness programmes.  We need a band of committed social workers and civil society members to spread awareness and to share the onus of implementation by joining hands with the government.”

She added that corruption in the system should also be eliminated for reaching the benefits to the deserved ones.

In her 2,353-word speech, the president also expressed concern over social evils like child marriage, female foeticide, female infanticide, dowry  and the effect  of alcoholism and drug addiction.

 “As development takes place we should not forget that the objective is not merely to create wealth but to build a humane society.”