Republic Day: Remove bad fruit but do not bring down the tree, says President Pratibha Patil

President Pratibha PatilWednesday cautioned against losing sight of the long term goals while dealing with short term pressures and said that a tree should not be brought down while shaking it to remove the bad fruit.

In her address to the nation on the eve of the63rd Republic Day, the president said the country's institutions may not be flawless but they have coped with many challenges.

In an apparent reference to the contentious debate on the Lokpal bill between the government, Team Anna and the opposition parties, the president said the tree should not be brought down while shaking it to remove the bad fruit.

She hoped solutions will be found between different stakeholders on matters of national importance "in the spirit of national interest."

"While bringing about reforms and improving institutions, we have to be cautious that while shaking the tree to remove the bad fruit, we do not bring down the tree itself. There will be short term pressures but in the process we must not lose sight of the long term goals and must work together on our core national agenda. I do hope in the spirit of national interest, matters of national importance are discussed and solutions are found," the president said.

The Lokpal bill was passed in the Lok Sabha but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. Several key legislations of the government are pending in Parliament.

Patil said solutions to matters of national importance in the spirit of national interest will strengthen "roots of democracy and the foundation of our nation".

She said India can set an example before the democratic world of progress and growth.

"We have a shared future and we should not forget that it can be achieved if we demonstrate a sense of responsibility and a show of unity," she said.

The president said the parliament had enacted path-breaking laws and the government had put together schemes for the progress and welfare of the people. "Our judiciary has a reputable standing. Our media too has played an important role. With all institutions working together for the same national purpose it will create a stream of positive energy. Our effort to improve is an on-going process," she said.