President Murmu addresses joint session of Parliament: Key highlights

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday addressed the joint session of Parliament. Congratulating the new MPs in her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, Murmu said she hoped they would act as the medium for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of India.

The people of India have given a clear and stable mandate to the Modi government for a third time, President Murmu said.

The President also congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the high voter turnout recorded in the union territory in the recent Lok Sabha elections and lauded the Election Commission for holding the world's biggest democratic exercise.

Here are the top comments from President Murmu's speech:

• A very good outcome has emerged from Jammu and Kashmir in this election. Voting records of decades have been broken. In the last four decades, we only saw low voter turnout in Kashmir amid strikes and shutdowns. Enemies of India used to project it as the opinion of Jammu and Kashmir on the global stage. This time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir gave a befitting reply to such forces.
• The world can see Indians have for the third time formed a government with a stable and full mandate
• This has happened after six decades. People have shown trust in my government for the third time. People of India are confident that only my government can fulfil their aspirations.
• During the last 10 years, majority of the four crore PM Awas houses have been allotted to women beneficiaries. Now, at the very start of the third term of my government, approval for construction of 3 crore new houses has been accorded. Most of these houses will be allotted to women beneficiaries.

• My government has started a comprehensive campaign to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didis. For this, financial support to the Self Help Groups is also being increased.
• We are well aware of the popularity of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana under which a higher interest rate is being provided to girls on their bank deposits. Women are also immensely benefitting from the schemes providing free ration and affordable gas cylinders.
• This is a stamp of approval for the mission of service and good governance that my government has run for the last 10 years.
• India is contributing 15 per cent to the global economy. In the upcoming sessions, this government is going to present the first budget of this term. This budget will be an effective document of the government's far-reaching policies and futuristic vision
• My government is going to take one more decision, all the elderly above 70 years of age will get the benefit of free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• In the last 10 years, many such reforms have been done, which are benefiting the country today. When these reforms were being done, they were opposed but all these reforms have stood the test of time.
• Today GST is creating a medium to formalize India's economy, to make trade and business easier. For the first time in the month of April, GST collection has crossed the level of Rs 2 lakh crore. This has increased the profit of the statesDue to frequent opposition, prejudice, mentality and narrow selfishness, the basic spirit of democracy has been greatly harmed. This affects the Parliament as well as the country's development journey...Every attempt to tarnish our democracy should be condemned by all.
• Today's India is changing its agriculture system keeping in mind its current needs. Nowadays, the demand for organic products is increasing rapidly in the world.
• My Government has started giving citizenship to refugees under the CAA law. I wish a better future for the families who have received citizenship under CAA. My Government is re-establishing the heritage and culture of India along with efforts to build the future.
• My government, along with 'vikas', is also working on 'virasat', taking the same pride. My government, along with making efforts to build a future, is also reviving the country's cultural heritage and glory. Recently, the new grand Nalanda University campus that was inaugurated has added a new chapter to this.
• As a Vishwa-Bandhu, India has taken initiatives in providing solutions to many global problems. We are providing various solutions for issues ranging from climate change to food security and from nutrition to sustainable agriculture.

• We are providing various solutions for issues ranging from climate change to food security and from nutrition to sustainable agriculture. We are also running a campaign to popularise our coarse grains – Shree Anna – as a superfood across the world. On India's initiative, the year 2023 was celebrated as the International Year of Millets worldwide