Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Most recently The Republic of Uzbekistan celebrated its 22nd National Day. It has been great journey of statesmanship, courage and gradual modernization. It has been voyage of national pride, socio-economic robust and political maturity and system stability in the Uzbekistan. The President of Uzbekistan, the largest country in the CIS, has strong character and firm political will to do many diversified but integrated measures for the wellbeing of its people at large.
Right from the begging H.E. President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov led the nation and turned it a strong, stable and sustainable economy of the CIS. His gradual economic policies, political and democratic reforms has already shaped the country as one of the most modern and liberal country in the world.
Following is given President Islam Karimov’s National Address which shows his commitment towards national sovereignty, people’s dignity through rule of the law and social justice. It also shows his marvelous socio-economic achievements. It rightly highlights the importance of national history, culture and harmony of its people at large. He stressed the need to have sustainable economic development in the country in order to cope with the emerging challenges.
On 22nd National Day of the Uzbekistan, he addressed to his brave nation and shared the importance of independence in their lives. He congratulated the entire nation. He rightly termed independence as a basic right.
“Achievement of independence is precisely an opportunity to fulfill our great and sacred obligation, that is, to command our destinies and the fate of our country on our own, along with its natural, economic and intellectual resources; to mobilize all this startling potential for the good of our people, by thoroughly understanding how great a history, culture and spirituality we have; and to revitalize our ages-old values and faith, the President added. He also pinpointed the different aspect of being independent and sovereign.
He cherished the past memories of national building, democratic state, liberalized economy and to achieve sustainable economic development for all. He mentioned numerous reforms, measures and policies in order to achieve and maintain a qualitative life in every part of the Uzbekistan.
The President highlighted the success of his socio-economic reforms during the past 22 years. In the beginning, Uzbekistan was not so strong socio–economically. Means of production was monopolized by few and prosperity was limited to few powerful groups. The living conductions were poor and the country was plunged with misery and disaster. He proudly indicated that
“Our country, as the majority of international observers note, has turned from a land incapable of supporting itself, into a modern, independent and sovereign nation that advances with steady rates, a nation that relies on its own virtue and capacities, that is capable of defending its borders, its peaceful and harmonious life and this inspires us with a sense of pride”.
The President emphasized the splendid socio-economic achievements of his vibrant
“To date, Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product has grown 3.1 times if compared to figures of the year 2000, and in per capita calculus it has risen 2.6 times. The volume of exports has increased 4.4 times; the nominal wage has multiplied 22 times in comparable prices; the average retiree pension has grown 12.7 times; per capita real incomes have swelled 8.4 times, while the economic growth within the last six years has been exceeding 8 percent. We would barely be mistaken if we suggest that these kinds of indicators are rare today across the entire world”.
Our achievements in the past period, including the fuel and energy as well as grain independence, the total self-sufficiency in essential consumer goods, and crucially, the public healthcare (notably, the 3.2 times reduction in maternal mortality and the 3.4 decrease in child mortality, the growth in life expectancy from 66 to 73.5 years) all this is suggestive of an immense path of growth and development we have passed, of the rising living standards of our people, he further added.
He praised the socio-economic utility, geo-political significance and geo-strategic value of his “Uzbek-Model” making Uzbekistan one the emerging economy on the map of the world. It has multiplier effects on the various aspects of Uzbekistan’s economy, civility, politics, administration and above all policy formation.
He said that confidence, consciousness, thinking, attitude to life, to work, to the world surrounding us had made us prosper and responsible nation.
“Today we are a people with free thought, with confidence in its virtue, with the persistently enhancing political, legal and cultural maturity, with a clear perception of its future, of the things and people it lives and labors for”, he elaborated.
Karimov, the President shared the blessings of a democratic state with a market economy and a civil society, to join the ranks of advanced nations of the planet. And no force can turn us away from this path.
“In these turbulent and alarming times, when various regions of the globe, including those around us, experience mounting confrontation and armed conflicts, one cannot stay indifferent and unconcerned, and the current realities require that we be more vigilant and attentive, prepared to curb any attempts posing threat to our national security, Karimov mentioned.
He considered atmosphere of friendship, interethnic and civic harmony, kindness and compassion; to build up mutual-respectful cooperation with countries located both near and far away as invaluable wealth in the modern arena of international politics.
I would like, from this point of view, that the principle “We need peace and harmony” that has been deeply absorbed in the flesh and blood of our people become the most pressing task for every one of us.
He summed up by saying
“At these unforgettable moments, I deem it my duty to express my deepest respect and bow before our hard-working and magnanimous nation who has seen much in its lifetime, who has become hardened amid tests, and who has today been writing down bright pages into its ages-old history, who displays genuine self-sacrifice to secure the prosperity of the current and future life of Uzbekistan”.
I wish you a sound health, happiness and the best of luck, affluence and wellbeing to your families.
May the Almighty keep our people and our country from any misfortunes and nuisances!
May the sky above our Motherland always be clear!
May our independence be eternal!