Constitution my holy book, Parliament my temple: President Pranab Mukherjee in last address to nation

Today was outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee's last day in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. At a function in the Central Hall of Parliament House tomorrow, India's 14th President Ram Nath Kovind will be sworn-in by the Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar.

After the function, both the incoming and outgoing presidents will depart for their respective new residences - Rashtrapati Bhavan and 10 Rajaji Marg.

On his last day in office, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his last address to the nation where he stressed on the virtues of pluralism and tolerance.

WHAT PRANAB MUKHERJEE SAID:

• I have received much more from the country than I have given.
• How successful I was in discharging my responsibilities will be judged, over the time, by the critical lens of history.
• For the past fifty years of my public life, - My sacred text has been the Constitution of India; my temple has been the Parliament of India; and my passion has been the service of the people of India.
• The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance.
• "Everyday we see increased violence around us. At the heart of this violence is darkness, fear and mistrust," Pranab Mukherjee said.
• Climate change has put farming sector under tremendous stress.
• Each day of these five years, I was conscious of my responsibility. I learnt from my travels across the length and breadth of the country.
• Happiness is fundamental to the human experience of life.
• For development to be real, the poorest of the land must feel that they are a part of the nation's narrative.
• Creative thinking, innovation and scientific temper have to be promoted in our institutions of higher learning.
• A reordering of society is possible through the transformative power of education.
• The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special.
• We must free our public discourse from all forms of violence, physical as well as verbal.
• "When I speak to you tomorrow, it will not be as the President but as a citizen - a pilgrim like all of you in India's onward march towards glory," Mukherjee said.