Time for a new beginning: PM in New Year message
Apparently seeking to put behind the trying times faced by his government and Congress party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today used the occasion of New Year to reflect upon "shortcomings and lapses" and said it is time to make a "new beginning" and take "corrective action".
Wishing the nation "peace, security, joy and prosperity" in 2014, he said, "It is a time of hope, a time to make a new beginning with resolve and confidence to achieve these goals." He said "as a nation, it is an occasion to unite and brace ourselves for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead", in a message which could be seen in the context of upcoming lok Sabha polls.
"The New Year is a time for each one of us to reflect upon the year gone by, the successes and achievements as well as the lapses and shortcomings. It provides an opportunity to reassess ourselves and to plan for the year ahead, taking corrective action and setting new goals," the Prime Minister said. The contents of the message assume significance considering the difficulties that the UPA government and Congress have gone through in the outgoing year.
It has been under pressure over allegations of corruption while facing criticism on price rise and slowdown in economic growth. The drubbing Congress faced in the recently-held assembly elections in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have added to its woes.
