Asserting women’s empowerment is one of the top priorities of the Government, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday specifically spoke of the removal of retrograde “triple talaq” as he spoke of the self-reliance drive of “New India”, including in the defence sector, and its resolve “to preserve, enrich and empower India’s ancient heritage.”
Delivering the customary address to the joint Session of Parliament on behalf of the Government, the President expressed confidence that the economic reforms coupled with the drive of self-reliance would help the country achieve higher future economic goals.
“India received $48 billion in FDI in the first seven months of this fiscal; proof of investors’ confidence in the country,” he said.
Amid the thumping of desks by the MPs, Kovind announced that women’s empowerment is the top priority of his Government.
“We’re witnesses to the success of Ujjwala Yojana. Through Mudra Yojana, the entrepreneurship and skills of women have received a boost. With “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” many positive results have come to the fore,” he further said.
The President said the abolition of “teen talaq”, allowing Muslim women to Haj without the need to be accompanied by a male member, and drastic “reduction in the dropouts of Muslim girl students witnessed in their enrolment” were major steps by the Government for the betterment of Muslim women.
“Untill 2014, three crore Muslim students were given scholarships; whereas since 2014, four crore students were awarded scholarships,” he said pointing to Governments’ programmes for the betterment of the minorities.
The President spoke of continuous momentum of economic reforms and drive for self-reliance in all sectors, including in the area of defence.
“Make in India is given importance in the defence sector, and by doing this, the Government is reducing the dependability on other countries for defence imports”, he said saying 126 items have been removed from the import list.
“New banking and labour reforms are brought out, and by opening the economy to the private sector, quality of services is ensured,” he said.
Latest technology like drones are being used, and simplified drone rules have been announced, he further said.
The President spoke about the stellar role played by Indian vaccine in making world Covid free and lauded the work of doctors and frontline workers in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the nationwide vaccination programme is proof of India’s capability in fight against the disease.
“We have administered 1.5 billion doses of Covid vaccines in a record time of less than a year,” Kovind said.
He said made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines are playing an important role in making the whole world free from the pandemic and saving the lives of crores of people.
“More than 70 per cent of beneficiaries have been administered the second dose of Covid vaccine,” the President further said.
Besides drawing attention to Indian role in vaccinating the world, President said, “Through Operation Devi Shakti, we provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Hindu and Sikh minorities have been airlifted during the time of Taliban takeover.”
The President said India is also playing a pivotal role in climate change and “has emerged as a responsible global voice in the world for climate change.”
“India has set a target of Net Zero emissions by 2070 under its commitment to deal with climate change, “said Kovind.
The President expressed the Government’s commitment to preserving Indian culture and enriching Indian culture.
“My Government considers it a responsibility to preserve, enrich and empower India’s ancient heritage. It is a matter of pride that the Harappan site of Dholavira and the 13th-century Kakatiya Rudreshwar Ramappa temple in Telangana have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“After the Kumbh Mela Prayagraj, Kolkata’s iconic Durga Puja has also been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List”, he said.
In his address Kovind detailed progress made by Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir which he said “is seeing development. In the sectors of education, health, and development, the government is working consistently”.
He said in Ladakh Sindhu Central University is being developed by the Government.
Similarly, the President said the North-Eastern States are being developed. “Rail and air connectivity is being done, and these States are linked to the rest of the country”, he said.
The President was greeted with the thumping of desks when he referred to India’s sports performance in the Olympics setting “a record of winning medals in Tokyo Olympics.”
“In order to improve India’s performance in the Olympics and sports, the Central Government along with the State Governments is setting up hundreds of Khelo India Centres in the country”, he said