What Ram Nath Kovind said in his first speech as President
July 25, 2017  13:23
"Honoured to be sworn in as the 14th President of India. I will be carrying out my responsibilities with all humility.

I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me.

Our Independence was the result of efforts by thousands of patriotic freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi.

We need to build an India that is an economic leader as well as a moral exemplar.

The key to India's success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique.

We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India.

Nations are not built by governments alone. Nation building requires national pride. 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.

Farmer toiling in the blazing sun to feed fellow citizens is a nation builder. Scientist concentrating tirelessly to send an Indian space mission to Mars, or invent a vaccine, is a nation builder. Nurse or doctor helping the sick to recover and fighting disease in a remote village, is a nation builder.

Young person who founds a start-up and becomes a job creator is a nation builder.  It is appropriate that land of Lord Buddha should lead the world in its search for peace, tranquility & ecological balance. India's voice counts in today's world. 

The entire planet is drawn to Indian culture and soft power. In a globalised world, our responsibilities are also global.  We have achieved a lot as a nation, but the effort to do more, to do better and to do faster is relentless.

The citizen of this country are the real source of strength to me. Confident that people of India 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. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide equality of opportunities."
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