President Droupadi Murmu has said that security is among the key drivers of economic investment and growth. She said, building ‘Surakshit Bharat’ is necessary for building ‘Samriddh Bharat’. Delivering the 38th Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture in New Delhi today, the President said India has been facing multi-dimensional security challenges and threats. She said, tensions in the border areas, terrorism and militancy, insurgency and communal radicalisation have been traditional areas of security concern.
President Murmu said that in recent years, cybercrimes have emerged as a substantial security threat. She underlined that the lack of security in any part of the country has an economic impact that goes beyond the affected area.
The President noted that left-wing-extremism is close to total eradication. She stated that intensive action by forces and agencies engaged in the sphere of internal security has been a key element behind the near-eradication of left-wing-extremism.
President Murmu noted that a holistic approach was adopted to win the trust of communities through several initiatives. She said, promoting socio-economic inclusion in tribal and remote areas has proved effective against exploitation of the people by left-wing-extremists and insurgent groups.
The President said that social media has transformed the world of information and communication. She said, it has the potential for both creation and destruction. President Murmu said, protecting people from misinformation is a very challenging task. She said, this task must be carried out continuously and very effectively. She also stressed the need to create a community of active social media users who consistently present fact-based narratives in the national interest.
The President expressed her deep appreciation for the exceptional contribution made by the Intelligence Bureau to the internal security of the country. She said, Intelligence Bureau is an agency of invisible heroes.
President Murmu said the Intelligence Bureau has been playing a stellar role in providing security to the countrymen and assuring the unity and integrity of the nation. She said that during the last decade, the security agencies like the Intelligence Bureau have neutralised numerous threats within the country.
The President said that the theme for this lecture, ‘People-Centric National Security: Community Participation in Building Viksit Bharat,’ is of immediate as well as long-term significance for the country. She said that all institutions concerned, including IB, should spread awareness among the people that national security is the responsibility of every citizen.
President Murmu said that alert citizens can provide formidable support to the efforts of government agencies engaged in national security. She said, community participation strengthens national security, and there are numerous examples of alert citizens helping professional forces with their inputs in averting security crises.
The President said that by placing citizen welfare and public participation at the heart of the strategy, the nation can empower its citizens to become effective sources of intelligence and security. She said, this transformation, driven by public participation, will help address the complex, multifaceted security challenges of the 21st century.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and Home Secretary Govind Mohan were present at the occasion. In his welcome address, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka said that the Intelligence Bureau has always been at the forefront in strengthening the country’s internal security. Intelligence Bureau officials have been instrumental in identifying and addressing numerous challenges that pose a threat to national security.
