THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Jan 31: President Droupadi Murmu gave an introductory speech to a combined session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the new Parliament building on Wednesday, marking the start of the Budget Session of Parliament.
As the current Lok Sabha’s final session before the anticipated April–May general elections, President Murmu expressed her hope that substantive discussions would occur in Parliament during this session.
Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat
Beginning her speech at the recently built Parliament building, the President spoke about how the building embodies the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’ (One India, Great India) and reflects the splendour of India’s culture and civilization.
“This is my first address in the new Parliament building. This grand building has been built at the beginning of the Amrit Kaal. This has the fragrance of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’…This also has the resolve to honour democratic and parliamentary traditions. Besides this, it also has the resolve to build new traditions of the new India of the 21st century. I am confident that there will be meaningful conversation on policies, in this new building,” the President stated.
Also Read- Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, wife handed 14-year prison term in Toshakhana Case
Achievements of last year
President Murmu emphasized in her speech the significant accomplishments of the previous year, including the growth of India’s economy and significant events like the nation’s triumph at the Asian Games and the G20 Summit.
“The last year was full of accomplishments for India. There were many successes – India became the fastest-growing economy. India became the first nation to reach the south pole of the Moon. The successful G20 Summit hosted by India strengthened the role of India in the world. India won more than 100 medals in Asian Games. India also got the Atal Tunnel,” she stated.
Poverty alleviation, social welfare programs
She highlighted the importance of eliminating poverty and the efficient utilization of taxes to uplift different sectors of society, such as youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged.
“The achievements that we see today are the extension of the practices of the last 10 years. We heard the slogan of ‘Gareebi Hatao’ since our childhood. Today, for the first time in our lives, we see poverty being alleviated on a large scale,” she stated.
She mentioned that Rs 2.80 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
“In the past 10 years, there has been a three-fold increase in easy loans for farmers from banks,” she stated.
She conveyed that social welfare programs are not just amenities for citizens but have had a beneficial impact on the lives of individuals.
“The achievements that we see today are the extension of the practices of the last 10 years. We heard the slogan of ‘Gareebi Hatao’ since our childhood. Today, for the first time in our lives, we see poverty being alleviated on a large scale,” the President stated.
Acknowledging that ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ have evolved into significant assets for India, the President commended the defence production surpassing the Rs 1 lakh crore milestone.
Ram Temple
The President remarked that the long-standing dreams of building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have come true.
“In the last 10 years, India saw the completion of several works towards national interest that had been awaited by the people of the country for decades. There were aspirations for the construction of Ram temple for centuries, today it has become true,” she stated.
