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Usher in new India by 2022, President Ram Nath Kovind tells MPs

Laying out the roadmap for the Modi government's second term, President Ram Nath Kovind made a strong pitch for ushering in a "new India by 2022" in his address to the joint session of Parliament on Thursday. He urged that the new government should carry on the "uninterrupted journey of development" which started in 2014 when the country emerged out a sense of "gloom and instability" after three decades.

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PM Narendra Modi shakes President Ram Nath Kovind’s hand as Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu looks on at Parliament on Thursday
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Laying out the roadmap for the Modi government's second term, President Ram Nath Kovind made a strong pitch for ushering in a "new India by 2022" in his address to the joint session of Parliament on Thursday. He urged that the new government should carry on the "uninterrupted journey of development" which started in 2014 when the country emerged out a sense of "gloom and instability" after three decades.

The President said empowering every person in the country is the main goal of this government, which will make no discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion. "My government is giving residential and health facilities to the poor as poverty can only be removed by empowering the poor," he said. He had the whole NDA block of MPs in the central hall thumping in agreement when he referred to the Modi government's philosophy of 'Sabke Sath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas'.

President Kovind specifically laid out the government's key focus areas in his speech, mentioning issues such as Triple Talaq, Nikah Halala, NRC, Citizenship amendment, surgical strikes and One Nation, One Election besides taking forward the campaign against black money at a faster pace and make the zero-tolerance policy against corruption more comprehensive and effective.

The President also invoked Kerala's social reformer and poet Shri Narayana Guru, West Bengal's cultural icon Rabindra Nath Tagore and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak – each representing communities that remain out of BJP's electoral reach. "This New India's vision is motivated by the noble thoughts of Kerala's great spiritual figure, social reformer and poet: Jaati-Bhedam Mat-Dwesham AdumIlladey Sarvrum Sodar-tvain Vaadunn Matrukasthan Maanit," he said. "That is, an ideal place is one where people live like brothers, free from discrimination by caste and religion."

While invoking Nobel laureate Tagore, the country's first citizen said, "This New India will move forward towards that ideal state envisioned by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, where the mind of the people is without fear and the head is held high with self-esteem."

While ticking off the previous Modi government's achievements and priorities in the hour-long address, the leader of the country pushed for simultaneous elections, calling it the "need of the hour". Explaining that the pace and continuity of development programmes is impacted by frequent polls in some or other part of the country, the President urged all the members of Parliament to "seriously ponder over this development-oriented proposal of One Nation, simultaneous Elections proposal".

His suggestion comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held deliberations with chiefs of 21 political parties over the issue and announced setting up of a panel for time-bound suggestions on feasibility.

Asserting that the government was moving ahead to create a "strong, secure and inclusive India", the head of state said national security was paramount. All MPs, including those from the opposition camps, registered their assent by thumping desks for a long time when he said, "India has amply demonstrated both her intent and capabilities, first through surgical strikes and then through air strikes on terrorist hideouts across the border after the Pulwama attack."

He then recounted the steps taken by the new government in its first 21 days in office aimed at the welfare of farmers, soldiers, students, entrepreneurs, women and other sections of society. President Kovind added that initiatives have been taken to enact several new laws as well.

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