Corruption sapping national resources: President

President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday said that corruption was a major challenge that was sapping the resources of this nation and spreading disillusionment and cynicism and there was a need to "correct this regression".

Addressing the nation on the eve of 67th Independence Day, Mukherjee said: "Today we see widespread cynicism and disillusionment with the governance and functioning of institutions in our country."

"Corruption has become a major challenge. The precious resources of the nation are being wasted through indolence and indifference. It is sapping the dynamism of our society. We need to correct this regression.

He also had a word about the decline of institutions like parliament, saying our legislatures looked more like "combat arenas". rather than a forum to pass laws.

"Our legislatures look more like combat arenas, rather than fora that legislate," he said.

"Democracy breathes through a vibrant Parliament, an independent judiciary, a responsible media, a vigilant civil society, and a bureaucracy committed to integrity and hard work. It survives through accountability, not profligacy," he said.

"And yet we have allowed unbridled personal enrichment, self-indulgence, intolerance, discourtesy in behavior and disrespect for authority to erode our work culture," he said.

He warned: "The biggest impact of the decay in the moral fiber of our society is on the hopes and aspirations of the young and the poor."

"We need a Parliament that debates, discusses and decides. We need a judiciary that gives justice without delays. We need leadership that is committed to the nation and those values that made us a great civilization," he added.