ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF India Smt. Droupadi Murmu to Parliament

Honorable Members,

   1.   This is my first address in this new Parliament building. This magnificent building has been constructed at the beginning of “Azadi ka Amrit Kaal”.

          It is imbued with the fragrance of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and is a testimony to India’s civilization and culture.

          It also resonates with the resolve to respect our democratic and parliamentary traditions.

          Moreover, it embodies the commitment to forge new traditions for the new India of the 21st century.

          I am confident that this new building will be witness to productive dialogue on policies -- policies that will shape the development of ‘Viksit Bharat’ in the Amrit Kaal of our independence.

          I extend my best wishes to all of you.

Honorable Members,

   2.   This year is also the 75th year of adoption of our Constitution.

          During this period, Amrit Mahotsav, the celebration of 75 years of independence, was completed.

          During this period, many programmes were organized across the country.

          The country remembered its unsung freedom fighters.

          After 75 years, the young generation relived that period of freedom struggle.

   3.   During this campaign:

• Amrit Kalash containing soil from every village of the country were brought to Delhi under the ‘Meri Maati, Mera Desh’ campaign.
• Over 2 lakh plaques were installed.
• More than three crore people took the oath of the ‘Panch Pran’.
• More than 70,000 Amrit Sarovars were built.
• Construction of more than two lakh “Amrit Vatikas” was completed.
• Over two crore trees were planted.
• More than 16 crore people uploaded their selfies with the Tricolour.

   4.   It was during the Amrit Mahotsav that,

• A statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was installed on “Kartavya Path”.
• A museum dedicated to all the Prime Ministers of the country was inaugurated in Delhi, the national capital.
• Shantiniketan and Hoysala Temple were included in the World Heritage List.
• Veer Bal Diwas was declared in the memory of “Sahibzaade”.
• Birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was declared as “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas”.
• August 14 was declared as “Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas” to commemorate the horrors of partition.