New Delhi, Aug 14 (ANI): While addressing and greeting the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that Freedom is a celebration and independence is a challenge. The President said that intolerance and violence is a betrayal of the letter and spirit of democracy and slammed those who believe in the "poison drip of inflammatory provocation". Talking about good governance, he said India needs creative thinking in governance that enables fast track development and ensures social harmony. He also said that the good governance involves participation by people and transparency on the part of the government. He appealed the political parties to keep the nation first and that the people should defend the secular fabric with vigour. Finally said that this is the time to take action and people should not wait any further.