President Ram Nath Kovind today addressed the members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday, a customary speech delivered ahead of the commencement of the Budget session.&nbsp;

Members of both the Houses seated in three different locations for the first time as part of precautions against COVID-19.

As many as 18 Opposition parties are boycotting the President's address in solidarity with farmers protesting against the three farm laws.

"Joint session of Parliament amid Corona pandemic is essential. It's a new year and a new decade and we're also entering into the 75th year of independence. Today all MPs are present here with message &amp; trust that however tough be the challenge neither we nor India will stop," said President Ram Nath Kovind.

"In this fight against the pandemic, we lost many citizens. Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away in this Corona period. Six MPs left us untimely due to COVID. I pay my tribute to all of them," he added.

"It is a matter of pride that India is running the biggest vaccination program in the world. Both vaccines of this program are made in India. In this crisis India shouldered its responsibility towards mankind &amp; provided lakhs of doses of vaccines to several nations," President said.

The most important items on the agenda in the session are the passage of the Budget and related documents — the Economic Survey for 2021-22 on Friday, The Union Budget on Monday, and the report of the Finance Commission.

(With inputs from agencies)

President Ram Nath Kovind today addressed the members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday, a customary speech delivered ahead of the commencement of the Budget session.

President Ram Nath Kovind today addressed the members of both Houses of Parliament on Friday, a customary speech delivered ahead of the commencement of the Budget session. Members of both the Houses seated in three different locations for the first time as part of precautions against COVID-19. As many as 18 Opposition parties are boycotting the President's address in solidarity with farmers protesting against the three farm laws. "Joint session of Parliament amid Corona pandemic is essential. It's a new year and a new decade and we're also entering into the 75th year of independence. Today all MPs are present here with message & trust that however tough be the challenge neither we nor India will stop," said President Ram Nath Kovind. "In this fight against the pandemic, we lost many citizens. Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away in this Corona period. Six MPs left us untimely due to COVID. I pay my tribute to all of them," he added. "It is a matter of pride that India is running the biggest vaccination program in the world. Both vaccines of this program are made in India. In this crisis India shouldered its responsibility towards mankind & provided lakhs of doses of vaccines to several nations," President said. The most important items on the agenda in the session are the passage of the Budget and related documents — the Economic Survey for 2021-22 on Friday, The Union Budget on Monday, and the report of the Finance Commission. (With inputs from agencies)

No matter how big the challenge is, India will not stop, says President Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday condemned the violence on Republic Day during the farmers' tractor rally. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, the President said that the violence was unfortunate and he was saddened by the insult to National flag and the Republic Day.

"The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression is the same Constitution that teaches us that law &amp; rules have to be followed seriously," the President stated.

He also added that the govt is working to clear misgivings about the new farm laws. The President also listed a number of govt welfare programmes for the farmers. 
 
Hailing the government for PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, President Kovind said, "Small and marginal farmers are also a priority for my government. To support such farmers in their small expenses, around Rs 1,13,000 crores have been transferred directly to their accounts." 
 
"My Govt would like to clarify that the rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three Farm Laws have not been cut short, in fact with these new agricultural reforms the Govt has provided new facilities &amp; rights to farmers," he said. 
 
The most important items on the agenda in the session are the passage of the Budget and related documents — the Economic Survey for 2021-22 on Friday, The Union Budget on Monday, and the report of the Finance Commission.

(With inputs from agencies)

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday condemned the violence on Republic Day during the farmers' tractor rally. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, the President said that the violence was unfortunate and he was saddened by the insult to National flag and the Republic Day.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday condemned the violence on Republic Day during the farmers' tractor rally. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, the President said that the violence was unfortunate and he was saddened by the insult to National flag and the Republic Day. "The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression is the same Constitution that teaches us that law & rules have to be followed seriously," the President stated. He also added that the govt is working to clear misgivings about the new farm laws. The President also listed a number of govt welfare programmes for the farmers. Hailing the government for PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, President Kovind said, "Small and marginal farmers are also a priority for my government. To support such farmers in their small expenses, around Rs 1,13,000 crores have been transferred directly to their accounts." "My Govt would like to clarify that the rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three Farm Laws have not been cut short, in fact with these new agricultural reforms the Govt has provided new facilities & rights to farmers," he said. The most important items on the agenda in the session are the passage of the Budget and related documents — the Economic Survey for 2021-22 on Friday, The Union Budget on Monday, and the report of the Finance Commission. (With inputs from agencies)

President condemns violence on Republic Day, says protests at Red Fort unfortunate

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday called the Citizenship Amendment Act a historic law during his address to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act is a historic law. It has fulfilled wishes of our founding fathers including Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

He also said that debate and discussion on any issue strengthen democracy while violence during protests weaken it.

In a reference to abrogation of Article 370, Kovind said there is happiness among people of India that people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have got rights on par with the rest of the country. 
&nbsp; 
The President said Parliament has created a record in the first seven months of the new government headed by Narendra Modi by enacting several landmark legislations. 
&nbsp; 
"My government is taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade and this century as India's century," he said.&nbsp;

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday called the Citizenship Amendment Act a historic law during his address to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. "The Citizenship Amendment Act is a historic law.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday called the Citizenship Amendment Act a historic law during his address to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. "The Citizenship Amendment Act is a historic law. It has fulfilled wishes of our founding fathers including Mahatma Gandhi," he said. He also said that debate and discussion on any issue strengthen democracy while violence during protests weaken it. In a reference to abrogation of Article 370, Kovind said there is happiness among people of India that people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have got rights on par with the rest of the country. The President said Parliament has created a record in the first seven months of the new government headed by Narendra Modi by enacting several landmark legislations. "My government is taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade and this century as India's century," he said.

President Ramnath Kovid hails Citizenship Amendment Act, calls it a  'historic law'

Marking the beginning of the Budget Session of the Lok Sabha, President Ramnath Kovind addressed the joint sitting of Parliament and said that violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country.

"My govt taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade," said&nbsp;Kovind.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caa-opposers-refuse-to-see-persecution-of-religious-minorities-in-pakistan-pm-modi-277068">Also read: CAA opposers refuse to see persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan — PM Modi</a>

He added that the government is clearly of the view that mutual discussions and debates further strengthen democracy.

"At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country," he said. ​

Addressing the joint sitting of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President Kovind said, "Our constitution expects from this Parliament and every member present in this House to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the countrymen and make necessary laws for them, keeping national interest paramount."

"The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution through two-thirds majority by both the Houses of Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh."&nbsp;

"The mature way in which the countrymen behaved after the Supreme Court's decision on Ramjanmabhoomi is also praiseworthy," the President said.

Calling this decade as India's decade President Kovind said that "India has made significant improvement in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking. The government runs on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" and policies have been implemented without any religious bias." ​

Marking the beginning of the Budget Session of the Lok Sabha, President Ramnath Kovind addressed the joint sitting of Parliament and said that violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country.

Marking the beginning of the Budget Session of the Lok Sabha, President Ramnath Kovind addressed the joint sitting of Parliament and said that violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country. "My govt taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade," said Kovind. Also read: CAA opposers refuse to see persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan — PM Modi He added that the government is clearly of the view that mutual discussions and debates further strengthen democracy. "At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country," he said. Addressing the joint sitting of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President Kovind said, "Our constitution expects from this Parliament and every member present in this House to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the countrymen and make necessary laws for them, keeping national interest paramount." "The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution through two-thirds majority by both the Houses of Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh." "The mature way in which the countrymen behaved after the Supreme Court's decision on Ramjanmabhoomi is also praiseworthy," the President said. Calling this decade as India's decade President Kovind said that "India has made significant improvement in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking. The government runs on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" and policies have been implemented without any religious bias."

Violence in name of protests weakens country: President Ramnath Kovind

In his address to Parliament <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ram-nath-kovind-sworn-in-as-indias-14th-president-18267">after taking oath as India&#39;s 14th president</a>, Ram Nath Kovind spoke of the need for building an India that is an &quot;economic leader as well as a moral exemplar.&quot;

He also said every Indian was a nation builder be it the armed forces, police personnel, scientists, tribals, citizens, &quot;the farmer toiling in the blazing sun, the tribal and ordinary citizen striving to preserve our ecology, the self-less teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies, and the countless women who take care of families with so many other responsibilities&quot;.

Read the entire speech here

Respected Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji, Shri Hamid Ansari ji, Shri Narendra Modi ji, Shrimati Sumitra Mahajan ji, Shri Justice JS Khehar ji, Excellencies, Hon&rsquo;ble Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Fellow Citizens

I thank you for electing me to the responsibility of the President of India, and I enter this office with all humility. Coming here to Central Hall has brought back so many memories. I have been a Member of Parliament and here, in this very Central Hall, have had discussions with many of you. Often we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. But we learnt to respect each other. And that is the beauty of democracy.

I grew up in a mud house, in a small village. My journey has been a long one, and yet this journey is hardly mine alone. It is so telling of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it follows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Constitution &ndash; of ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra.

I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me. I am conscious I am following in the footsteps of stalwarts such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr S Radhakrishnan, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and my immediate predecessor, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, whom we address out of affection as &#39;Pranab Da&#39;.

Our Independence was the result of efforts by thousands of patriotic freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Sardar Patel integrated our nation. Principal architect of our Constitution Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar instilled in us the value of human dignity and of the republican ethic.

These leaders did not believe that simply political freedom was enough. For them, it was crucial to also achieve economic and social freedom for millions of our people.

We would be completing 70 years of our Independence soon. We are also well into the second decade of the 21st century, a century that so many of us intuitively believe will be an Indian century, guided and shaped by India and its accomplishments. We need to build an India that is an economic leader as well as a moral exemplar. For us, those two touchstones can never be separate. They are and must forever be linked.

The key to India&rsquo;s success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. In this land we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united.

The India of the 21st century will be one that is in conformity with our ancient values as well as compliant with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There is no dichotomy there, no question of choice. We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India.

As the gram panchayat must determine our consultative and community based problem solving, the Digital Republic must help us leapfrog developmental milestones. These are the twin pillars of our national endeavour.

Nations are not built by governments alone. The government can at best be a facilitator, and a trigger for society&rsquo;s innate entrepreneurial and creative instincts. Nation building requires national pride:

We take pride in the soil and water of India. We take pride in the diversity, religious harmony and inclusive ethos of India. We take pride in the culture, heritage and spirituality of India. We take pride in our fellow citizens. We take pride in our work and we take pride in the little things we do every day.

Each citizen of India is a nation builder. Each one of us is a custodian of India&rsquo;s well-being and of the legacy that we will pass on to coming generations. The armed forces that protect our borders and keep us safe are nation builders. Those police and paramilitary forces that fight terrorism and crime are nation builders. That farmer toiling in the blazing sun to feed fellow citizens is a nation builder. And we must never forget that so much of our farm labour comprises women.

That scientist concentrating tirelessly and 24 x 7 to send an Indian space mission to Mars, or invent a vaccine, is a nation builder. That nurse or doctor helping the sick to recover and fighting disease in a remote village, is a nation builder. That young person who founds a start-up and becomes a job creator is a nation builder. The start-up could be on a small farm, converting mangoes to pickles. Or in an artisans&rsquo; village, weaving carpets. Or at a laboratory lit up by giant screens.

That tribal and ordinary citizen striving to preserve our ecology, our forests, our wildlife, to push back climate change and to advance the cause of renewable energy, is a nation builder. That committed and driven public servant who works beyond the call of duty, whether on a flooded road, directing traffic; or in a quiet room, poring over detailed files, is a nation builder.

That self-less teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies, is a nation builder. Those countless women who take care of families with so many other responsibilities, at home and work, and raise children to become ideal citizens, are nation builders.

People elect their representatives from the Gram Panchayat to Parliament. They vest their will and hopes in these representatives. In turn, the people&rsquo;s representatives devote their lives to the service of nation.

But, our endeavours are not for ourselves alone. Down the ages, India has believed in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the World is My Family. It is appropriate that the land of Lord Buddha should lead the world in its search for peace, tranquility and ecological balance.

India&rsquo;s voice counts in today&rsquo;s world. The entire planet is drawn to Indian culture and soft power. The global community looks to us for solutions to international problems &ndash; whether terrorism, money laundering or climate change. In a globalised world, our responsibilities are also global.

This links us to our global family, our friends and partners abroad, and our diaspora, that contributes in so many ways across the world. It brings us to the support of other nations, whether by extending the umbrella of the International Solar Alliance or being first responders following natural disasters.

We have achieved a lot as a nation, but the effort to do more, to do better and to do faster should be relentless. This is especially so as we approach the 75th Year of our independence in 2022. What must also bother us is our ability to enhance access and opportunity for the last person and the last girl-child from an under-privileged family if I may put it so, in the last house in the last village. This must include a quick and affordable justice delivery system in all judicial forums.

The citizens of this country are the real source of strength to me. I am confident that they will continue to give me the energy to serve the nation.

We need to sculpt a robust, high growth economy, an educated, ethical and shared community, and an egalitarian society, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay ji. These are integral to our sense of humanism. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide equality of opportunities. This will be the India of the 21st century.

Thank you very much!

Jai Hind

Vande Mataram

 
&nbsp;

Ram Nath Kovind spoke of the need for building an India that is an 'economic leader as well as a moral exemplar'

In his address to Parliament after taking oath as India's 14th president, Ram Nath Kovind spoke of the need for building an India that is an "economic leader as well as a moral exemplar." He also said every Indian was a nation builder be it the armed forces, police personnel, scientists, tribals, citizens, "the farmer toiling in the blazing sun, the tribal and ordinary citizen striving to preserve our ecology, the self-less teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies, and the countless women who take care of families with so many other responsibilities". Read the entire speech here Respected Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji, Shri Hamid Ansari ji, Shri Narendra Modi ji, Shrimati Sumitra Mahajan ji, Shri Justice JS Khehar ji, Excellencies, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Fellow Citizens I thank you for electing me to the responsibility of the President of India, and I enter this office with all humility. Coming here to Central Hall has brought back so many memories. I have been a Member of Parliament and here, in this very Central Hall, have had discussions with many of you. Often we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. But we learnt to respect each other. And that is the beauty of democracy. I grew up in a mud house, in a small village. My journey has been a long one, and yet this journey is hardly mine alone. It is so telling of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it follows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Constitution – of ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra. I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me. I am conscious I am following in the footsteps of stalwarts such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr S Radhakrishnan, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and my immediate predecessor, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, whom we address out of affection as 'Pranab Da'. Our Independence was the result of efforts by thousands of patriotic freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Sardar Patel integrated our nation. Principal architect of our Constitution Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar instilled in us the value of human dignity and of the republican ethic. These leaders did not believe that simply political freedom was enough. For them, it was crucial to also achieve economic and social freedom for millions of our people. We would be completing 70 years of our Independence soon. We are also well into the second decade of the 21st century, a century that so many of us intuitively believe will be an Indian century, guided and shaped by India and its accomplishments. We need to build an India that is an economic leader as well as a moral exemplar. For us, those two touchstones can never be separate. They are and must forever be linked. The key to India’s success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. In this land we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united. The India of the 21st century will be one that is in conformity with our ancient values as well as compliant with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There is no dichotomy there, no question of choice. We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India. As the gram panchayat must determine our consultative and community based problem solving, the Digital Republic must help us leapfrog developmental milestones. These are the twin pillars of our national endeavour. Nations are not built by governments alone. The government can at best be a facilitator, and a trigger for society’s innate entrepreneurial and creative instincts. Nation building requires national pride: We take pride in the soil and water of India. We take pride in the diversity, religious harmony and inclusive ethos of India. We take pride in the culture, heritage and spirituality of India. We take pride in our fellow citizens. We take pride in our work and we take pride in the little things we do every day. Each citizen of India is a nation builder. Each one of us is a custodian of India’s well-being and of the legacy that we will pass on to coming generations. The armed forces that protect our borders and keep us safe are nation builders. Those police and paramilitary forces that fight terrorism and crime are nation builders. That farmer toiling in the blazing sun to feed fellow citizens is a nation builder. And we must never forget that so much of our farm labour comprises women. That scientist concentrating tirelessly and 24 x 7 to send an Indian space mission to Mars, or invent a vaccine, is a nation builder. That nurse or doctor helping the sick to recover and fighting disease in a remote village, is a nation builder. That young person who founds a start-up and becomes a job creator is a nation builder. The start-up could be on a small farm, converting mangoes to pickles. Or in an artisans’ village, weaving carpets. Or at a laboratory lit up by giant screens. That tribal and ordinary citizen striving to preserve our ecology, our forests, our wildlife, to push back climate change and to advance the cause of renewable energy, is a nation builder. That committed and driven public servant who works beyond the call of duty, whether on a flooded road, directing traffic; or in a quiet room, poring over detailed files, is a nation builder. That self-less teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies, is a nation builder. Those countless women who take care of families with so many other responsibilities, at home and work, and raise children to become ideal citizens, are nation builders. People elect their representatives from the Gram Panchayat to Parliament. They vest their will and hopes in these representatives. In turn, the people’s representatives devote their lives to the service of nation. But, our endeavours are not for ourselves alone. Down the ages, India has believed in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the World is My Family. It is appropriate that the land of Lord Buddha should lead the world in its search for peace, tranquility and ecological balance. India’s voice counts in today’s world. The entire planet is drawn to Indian culture and soft power. The global community looks to us for solutions to international problems – whether terrorism, money laundering or climate change. In a globalised world, our responsibilities are also global. This links us to our global family, our friends and partners abroad, and our diaspora, that contributes in so many ways across the world. It brings us to the support of other nations, whether by extending the umbrella of the International Solar Alliance or being first responders following natural disasters. We have achieved a lot as a nation, but the effort to do more, to do better and to do faster should be relentless. This is especially so as we approach the 75th Year of our independence in 2022. What must also bother us is our ability to enhance access and opportunity for the last person and the last girl-child from an under-privileged family if I may put it so, in the last house in the last village. This must include a quick and affordable justice delivery system in all judicial forums. The citizens of this country are the real source of strength to me. I am confident that they will continue to give me the energy to serve the nation. We need to sculpt a robust, high growth economy, an educated, ethical and shared community, and an egalitarian society, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay ji. These are integral to our sense of humanism. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide equality of opportunities. This will be the India of the 21st century. Thank you very much! Jai Hind Vande Mataram

Ram Nath Kovind's first speech as president

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No matter how big the challenge is, India will not stop, says President Kovind

President condemns violence on Republic Day, says protests at Red Fort unfortunate

President Ramnath Kovid hails Citizenship Amendment Act, calls it a 'historic law'

Violence in name of protests weakens country: President Ramnath Kovind

Ram Nath Kovind's first speech as president