Most Respected Shri Ram Nath Kovindji, Hon’ble President of India,
Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Shri Sreeramakrishnan, Hon’ble Speaker,
Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of Opposition,
Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for Co-operation,Devaswom and Tourism
Adv. V K Prasanth, Mayor
Shri V.S Sivakumar, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Dr. K.M. Abraham, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to preside over this Civic Reception accorded to our Hon’ble Rashtrapati Shri Ram Nath Kovindji. On behalf of the people of Kerala, let me extend a warm and cordial welcome to our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji.
As we all know, this is our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji's second visit to Kerala. On his first visit a few weeks ago, our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji had the kindest words about the progress made by our beloved State as well as on the culture of harmony and tolerance that has always been the hallmark of Kerala. We, the people of Kerala will always gratefully remember those words of kindness and encouragement.
The remarkable transformation of Kerala into what it is today has been the result of a series of social movements and interventions initiated and nurtured by various ideas, philosophies and ideologies. The reformers who guided the course of Kerala’s history emphasized the need for Equality, the importance of Education and the Power of Unity. The pace of our progress was quickened by the vigor with which our people embraced these ideas and philosophies and worked hard to realize their dream of a better world.
Today, Kerala is one of the most literate and advanced societies in the Country and even the World. And it is from this land that an extraordinary Statesman rose from the oppressed classes to become the tenth President of India, the largest democracy in the world. The rise of Hon’ble Shri Ramnath Kovindji from a humble background to the exalted seat of the first citizen of our beloved nation rekindles in us the joy and pride we felt when the Late Shri K. R. Narayanan was elected President. As a society that values equality, we see such elevations as the real and extraordinary strength of our Democratic tradition.
The election of Hon’ble Shri Ramnath Kovindji as the 14th President of India is a recognition of his contributions in various capacities in different areas of social service. It is also the reward for the determination and courage that he showed in overcoming the social barriers that usually prevent the growth of people from humble backgrounds. As a brilliant student, he graduated in Commerce and later received his Degree in Law from Kanpur University. In 1971, he enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi.
I understand that he had served as a Union Government Advocate in Delhi High Court from 1977 onwards. From 1979, he was an Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court. On a personal note, I must admit that I could not get an opportunity to get acquainted with him during my tenure as Judge and Chief Justice of India. However, we got to know each other while he was serving as the Governor of Bihar.
Hon’ble Kovindji's voice was heard in international circles as he could represent India in the United Nations in New York. He also addressed United Nations General Assembly in October, 2002.
During his parliamentary tenure, Hon’ble Kovindji had always emphasised the need to develop the educational infrastructure in rural areas. As a person who had given his inherited house for the welfare of his community, it was not surprising that he helped in the construction of school buildings in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand under MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) Scheme. As a member of several parliamentary committees, he could contribute to the framing of policies aimed at the welfare of the deprived sections. A person's vision indicates his stature as a Statesman much more than the positions he has adorned. We all know about how our nation has been enriched by the vision of stalwarts like Gandhiji and Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar who gave us the dreams about an India that is socially, economically and politically empowered. Their dreams were also about a social system and economy that would permit the full development of human potential and ensure a dignified life for everyone.
In his first address on the eve of Independence Day this year, our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji had also spelt out similar visions, pointing to how each citizen could contribute to building a new India, which must include the integral humanist component that has defined our country and our civilisation. I remember the sincerity with which he spoke of a New India rushing towards the future, with compassion. His vision also includes a compassionate society that empowers the traditionally disadvantaged people, the deprived child, the aged and the ailing and the differently abled in such a way that they all get equal opportunities in all walks of life.
Here, I am glad to point out that Kerala as a State has also been sharing this vision and that we have initiated programmes like Anuyatra for enabling the differently abled children to remain in the mainstream. Our welfare programmes for the elderly and the deprived sections of society are also driven by the same sense of compassion and understanding that our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji holds close to his heart. We all feel encouraged by the similarity in the views of our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji and our State on the welfare of the deprived sections. I hope this vision would guide us in the creation of a Nava Keralam or New Kerala in the years to come.
To conclude, let me thank our Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji for accepting our invitation to attend this Civic Reception and to receive our sincere love and respect. On behalf of the people of Kerala and the Government, I wish you a very fruitful tenure as the President of India and as the main driving force behind the creation of the New India.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
