Mumbai: Underlining the need to stand up to the challenges to effective democracy in an evolving nation, President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday pitched for electoral reforms saying the country's institutions should be rebuilt in accordance with demands of the changing times.
"We need to deliberate and debate on ways to strengthen governance, legislative system, as well as judicial system.
There is an urgent need for undertaking electoral reforms.
"Alongside, there is also a need to reform our education system. The governments, legislators, social activists and media should come together to chart the future course of action," the President said inaugurating platinum jubilee celebration of the Maharashtra Legislature in Mumbai.
Terming social harmony and tolerance as the bedrock of Indian democracy, Patil said cultivating the knack of understanding the other persons viewpoint is a must for a democracy to be successful.
"It is not necessary to be in complete agreement, but we should not be obstinate and think that I am right and the other person is wrong. If we develop intolerance, we shut the door on understanding. Everyone needs to know about this," she said in her speech delivered in Marathi amidst huge round of applause from dignitaries attending it.
Noting that socio-economic conditions in the country have changed rapidly in the last two decades, Patil, who is on a two-day visit to the state, said increasing industrialisation, rise of money power, decline of value system, technological innovations, information explosion have all brought forth new challenges.
"These challenges become magnified in a pluralistic society like ours as sensitivities of various groups also need to be taken care of," the President said.
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