Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato hoisted the national flag at the Jharkhand Assembly on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day on Saturday and said that political freedom had brought with it an equally important responsibility—the responsibility of nation-building.
MLAs, former legislators, the in-charge secretary of the Assembly Secretariat, officials and employees were present at the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Mahato said Independence Day was not merely an occasion for celebration but also an opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the past, assess the present and reaffirm the nation’s responsibilities towards the future.
Recalling the contributions of freedom fighters, he said India’s Independence was the result of the collective struggle of people across regions and sections of society. He paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, besides revolutionary figures such as Khudiram Bose, Matangini Hazra and Surya Sen.
He said the legacy of the freedom fighters conveyed an important message that freedom was not merely liberation from colonial rule but also the aspiration to live with dignity and determine one’s own future.
Speaking about Jharkhand’s development priorities, Mahato said the economic benefits generated from the state’s mineral and natural resources must reach local communities and future generations.
“For the Santhal region, development does not mean only roads and buildings. It means quality schools, healthcare facilities, skill development, local employment, fair prices for agricultural and forest produce, opportunities for women and the ability to connect with the modern economy while respecting one’s language and culture,” he said.
The Speaker stressed that development should not come at the cost of cultural identity. “Development does not mean losing one’s identity; it means moving forward with one’s identity,” Mahato said.
He also underlined the importance of democratic values, constitutional responsibilities and inclusive development, calling upon citizens to contribute to the nation-building process while preserving the country’s pluralistic traditions.
