Corruption is a cancer, hypocrisy in public life dangerous, says President

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 65th Republic Day, President Pranab Mukherjee described the menace of corruption as a cancer that weakens the foundation of the state and erodes democracy. He also said that care must be taken to avoid hypocrisy in public life.

"Corruption is a cancer that erodes democracy, and weakens the foundations of our state. If Indians are enraged, it is because they are witnessing corruption and waste of national resources. If governments do not remove these flaws, voters will remove governments," Mukherjee said.

Apparently referring to the recent anarchic political events in national capital New Delhi, where the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is heading the city government, and to the promises made by it to the people, the President said: "Equally dangerous is the rise of hypocrisy in public life. Elections do not give any person the licence to flirt with illusions. Those who seek the trust of voters, must promise only what is possible. The government is not a charity shop."

" Populist anarchy cannot be a substitute for governance. False promises lead to disillusionment, which gives birth to rage, and that rage has one legitimate target: those in power," he cautioned.

"This rage will abate only when governments deliver what they were elected to deliver: social and economic progress, not at a snail's pace, but with the speed of a racehorse. The aspirational young Indian will not forgive a betrayal of her future. Those in office must eliminate the trust deficit between them and the people. Those in politics should understand that every election comes with a warning sign: perform, or perish," Mukherjee said.

He, however, said that he was not a cynic "because I know that democracy has this marvellous ability to self-correct."

"It is the physician that heals itself, and 2014 must become a year of healing after the fractured and contentious politics of the last few years," he said.