Budget Session Begins: What President Murmu Said In Her First Address To Joint Sitting Of Parliament

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (31 January) delivered her first address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as the Budget session of the Paliament began.

Addressing the joint session, the President said, "This 25-year period of Amrit kaal marks the golden century of independence and the creation of a developed India. These 25 years are about fulfilling our duties for all of us and for every citizen of the country".

"By 2047, we have to build a nation that will be connected to the pride of the past and which will have all the golden chapters of modernity. We have to build an India that will be 'aatmanirbhar' and capable to fulfill its humanitarian duties," she said.

The President added that India should aspire to be a country where there is no poverty and whose middle class is also propserous.

"India should be a country, whose youth power and women power stand at the forefront to give direction to society and the nation," said President Murmu.

She said that in the almost nine years of the Modi government, the people of India have witnessed many positive changes for the first time.

"The biggest change has happened that today the confidence of every Indian is on top and the world has changed its view of India," she said.

"India, which was dependent on others for the solution of most of the problems, today is becoming the medium to solve the problems of others," the President added.

"I express my gratitude to countrymen today, through this session, that they have, for two consecutive terms, elected a stable govt," Presidnet Murmu said.

"My government has always kept national interest paramount and showed the will to bring about a complete change in policy and strategy," she added.

The President said that corruption is the biggest enemy of democracy and social justice and that's why a continuous fight against corruption is going on for the past years.

"We have ensured that the honest will be respected in the system," she said.

"From removing fake beneficiaries from Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile to One Nation One Ration Card, we've made huge permanent reform. Over the years, in form of DBT, in form of Digital India, country has prepared permanent and transparent system," the President said.

Ayushman Bharat Yojana has saved crores of poor people of the country from becoming poorer, they have saved 80 thousand crore rupees from being spent, she said.

She added that about 11 crore families have been connected with piped water supply in three years under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Poor families are getting maximum benefit from this, the President said.

The government has chosen to empower the heritage of the country as well as prioritising development, she said.

That's why while the Ayodhya Dham is being built, work is also underway on a New Parliament, she added.

She said that the government has worked for every class without any discrimination.

"As a result of my government's efforts in the last few years, many basic facilities have either reached 100 per cent population or are very close to that target," President Murmu said.

The government has decided to run the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana further as per the new circumstances, she said, adding that this is the hallmark of a sensitive and pro-poor government.

The priority of my government is 11 crore small farmers of the country. These small farmers were, for decades, deprived of the priority of the government. Now every kind of effort is being made to make them strong and prosperous," she said.

The President said that the government has awakened the aspirations of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

"This is the same class that was most deprived of the benefits of development," she added.

Highlighting the government's work in the North East India and the border areas, the President said that these areas are experiencing a new pace of development.

To provide better facilities to border villages, the government has started work on 'Vibrant Villages Programme', she said.

"For national security, unprecedented infrastructure has been created in border areas. Development in these areas is gaining momentum," the President said.

Highlighting the success of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, the President said, "For the first time in the country, the number of women is more than men and health of women has also improved more than before".

Further, the government has also "ensured that there is no restriction for women in any work, in any field of work", she added.

She said that the government has taken many successful steps for lasting peace in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir, that were facing the challenges of unrest and terrorism.

On indigenisation of manufacturing, the President said that the country has started reaping benefits of the success of Made in India campaign and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

"India's own manufacturing capacity is also increasing and manufacturing companies from all over the world are coming to India," she said.

"During 'Amrit Kaal', the country is moving ahead with the inspiration of 'Panch Pran'. My government is also constantly trying to get rid of every trace of slavery. What was once the Rajpath has now become the Kartavya Path," she said.

Highlighting the governemnt's focus on sports, She said that the government is also "connecting the power of the youth with sports, thereby bringing accolades for the nation".