The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee delivered the annual IB Centenary Endowment lecture today (December 19, 2013) at a function at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said the challenges to our security can come from many sources. We have to fight against terrorism that receives support from outside our country. Both state and non-state actors inimical to the nation are continuously engaged in efforts to destabilize India. Left Wing Extremism is another serious threat to social peace and harmony. The rapid change in technology has also resulted in new threats. The misuse of the social media is now a weapon that terrorists across the world and anti-nationals are employing with greater sophistication. This has to be combated adopting superior tactics and technology. He said "as new challenges emerge, we would also need to upgrade our skills and technological capabilities. For the security personnel to effectively counter these threats, timely and reliable intelligence is of utmost value”.
The President reiterated that India has a date to keep with destiny and complimented the Intelligence Bureau for organizing the Lecture every year and contributing to the public discourse on important issues.
This release issued at 1315 hrs