Govt's third term witnessing work at thrice the speed of previous dispensations: Prez Murmu

New Delhi | The Narendra Modi government is conscious of the aspirations of the people of the northeast and has worked to eliminate their sense of alienation, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget session, Murmu also said that through more than 10 peace agreements, several factions of different insurgent groups have been brought onto the path of peace.

"A significant measure of "Viksit Bharat" is balanced development of the country. No region should feel left behind in the journey of progress. My government is conscious of the aspirations of the people of the northeast and has worked to eliminate their sense of alienation," she said.

Murmu said to showcase the potential of the eight northeastern states before the entire country, the first-ever "Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav" was organised in Delhi.

She said along with the development of the northeast, the BJP-led government has initiated a comprehensive development plan for the "Purvodaya" or the eastern states, which will also create new employment opportunities.

"In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, several developmental projects have been launched, according these regions a crucial role in the nation's progress," the president said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said there is a conducive environment for development in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

Addressing both Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber, Murmu noted that the Lok Sabha and assembly elections were conducted in a peaceful manner in Jammu and Kashmir and the people deserve commendation for this achievement.

"After the abrogation of Article 370, there is a conducive environment for development in Jammu & Kashmir," she said.

The President said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through railway line.

"Under this ambitious project, the Chenab Bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge in the world," she said.

Murmu said India's first rail cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Bridge, has been completed and the work on the Shinkun La tunnel was also progressing successfully.

"Upon completion in the near future, it will be the world's highest tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh," she said.

In 2019, the government scrapped Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was carved out with a state legislature and elections were held there in 2024 after five years of President's Rule.

New Delhi | In an environment of global instability, India is emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability, setting an example for the world, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

In an address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Murmu said the world has placed its "trust" in India's "strength, policy, and intent".

In this context, she especially mentioned key groupings such as Quad, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and G20.

"Today, India firmly presents its interests even on the largest global platforms. The successful hosting of the G20 Summit and the Delhi Declaration are prime examples," she said.

"At the third Global South Summit, India-ASEAN Summit, and the India-CARICOM Summit, we have raised the voice on issues related to the Global South," she said.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an intergovernmental organization of 15 member states in the Caribbean region having the primary objective to promote economic integration and cooperation among the members.

"We have also presented India's 'Vision for the Future' at the Summit of the Future," she said.

The Summit of the Future was hosted by the United Nations in September last year in New York.

The president also referred to India hosting the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave in Bhubaneswar this month.

"The welfare and convenience of our brothers and sisters of the diaspora remain a priority, which is why my government has decided to open six new embassies and four new consulates," she said.

"Strengthening India's image as a 'Vishwa Bandhu', the country has extended immediate assistance to many disaster-stricken areas across the world," Murmu added.

The President also said that India has shared its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with several nations and set up Jan Aushadhi Kendra.

New Delhi | The government has taken 'historic" initiatives to ensure defence of India's borders and internal security, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

In an address to a joint sitting of Parliament, she also said that "highly encouraging results" were seen in achieving self-reliance, especially in the defence sector.

"To ensure defence of the country's borders and internal security, the government has undertaken historic initiatives," she said.

"From Make in India, we have transitioned to Make for the World, which is also generating new employment opportunities across the country," Murmu said.

"In a historic moment, two warships and a submarine built in India were recently commissioned into the Indian Navy," she said.

The President said India is strengthening self-reliance and self-employment by establishing the defence industrial corridor and promoting defence start-ups.

"Along with securing the borders, the development of border areas is also a key component of our strategy," she said.

Murmu said roads in border areas, along with "modern infrastructure like the Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, and Sonamarg Tunnel, have enhanced both defence capabilities and tourism".

The Vibrant Villages Programme has been launched in the country's first villages located along the border, she added.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Mumru on Friday listed simultaneous polls and amendments to the Waqf law as "critical issues" on which the Narendra Modi government has made "swift progress" and described the law on reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies as a a significant step in empowering women.

In her address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget session, she said the government has made "swift progress on critical issues like 'one nation, one election' and the Waqf Act amendment." The bill that lays down mechanism to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies is being examined by a joint committee of Parliament.

A separate joint committee of the two Houses on Thursday submitted its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker, paving the way for the government to bring amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduced in the lower house last year.

"My government firmly believes in empowering the nation through women-led development. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women's reservation Act), which provides (33 per cent) reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is a significant step in this direction," she told the MPs.

She also referred to the decade-long exercise of the government to weed out irrelevant statutes.

"The government has conducted an extensive review of laws enacted before the Constitution came into force. Many laws are being repealed or amended to ensure that the entire system can meet the current social and economic challenges," Murmu said.

So far, the government has repealed more than 1,500 obsolete laws, the president pointed out.

By removing colonial-era laws, a ‘Nyaya Sanhita' has been introduced in place of the Penal Code, she recalled.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India has the world's third-largest metro network spanning over 1,000 km and emphasised that efforts to streamline urban transportation are underway.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, which marked the start of the Budget session, Murmu said that metro projects in Delhi, Pune, Thane and Bengaluru, along with the recently launched Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on the Ahmedabad-Bhuj route, are shaping the cities of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

To accelerate the journey towards 'Viksit Bharat', it is essential to make Indian cities future-ready, she said.

In this direction, the government is focused on modernising urban amenities and making them energy-efficient. Simultaneously, the foundation is being laid for the development of new cities, she added.

"Today, I am extremely pleased to share that India's metro network has crossed the milestone of 1,000 kilometres. India has now become the third-largest country in the world in terms of the metro network," Murmu said.

Just a few weeks ago, work began on the Rithala-Narela-Kundli corridor in Delhi, which will be one of the major sections of the Delhi Metro network, she said.

The metro routes in Delhi are expanding rapidly due to the government's continuous efforts. In 2014, the total metro network in Delhi-NCR was less than 200 kilometres. Now, it has more than doubled, she said.

Work is also underway on 15 ropeway projects across the nation to enhance connectivity and promote urban tourism, the President said.

Additionally, the decision to deploy 52,000 electric buses in the country, at an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore, will provide smooth and clean urban transportation. This initiative will also create numerous employment opportunities, she said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday emphasised the government's commitment to inclusive development, stating the success of a nation is ensured only when it adheres to fundamental principles.

In her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, she said ,"My government has always placed the fundamental principles outlined by our Constitution at the core of its policies".

Highlighting the government's ideology, she underscored that "service" remains the guiding force behind policy decisions.

"My government firmly believes that serving 140 crore citizens is its foremost duty, and it is working with utmost sensitivity in this direction," she said.

In her speech, President Murmu detailed key welfare initiatives aimed at empowering marginalised communities. She announced the expansion of the PM-Suraj Yojana to facilitate easy loans for backward sections of society and sanitation workers.

Additionally, she emphasised efforts to ensure accessibility of government schemes for differently-abled individuals, noting that over one crore Divyang ID cards have been issued to date.

Addressing the welfare of sanitation workers, she mentioned the extension of the "Namaste Yojana" to include all individuals engaged in cleanliness work.

The initiative aims to recognise their contributions and improve their working conditions.

The President reiterated the government's commitment to a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), emphasising a saturation approach to welfare schemes.

"With the goal to ensure that no one is left behind in the journey of a ‘Viksit Bharat,' my government is working with a saturation approach," she stated, reaffirming the administration's resolve to reach every citizen with its policies.

New Delhi | Reform, perform and transform have become synonymous with India's new governance model across the world, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, she also highlighted different good governance initiatives started by the government.

"To take the grand edifice of progress to new glories, strong pillars are required. For India's development, my government has established three strong pillars of reform, perform and transform. Today, these words have become synonyms of India's new governance model across the world," Murmu said.

Focusing on good governance, the i-GOT (Integrated Government Online Training) Karmayogi digital platform has been created, encouraging government employees to enhance their skills and become true Karmayogis, she said.

"This platform offers 1,700 courses and more than 2 crore course completions have taken place," Murmu said.

To ensure that the journey towards 'Viksit Bharat' continues to be guided by the ideals of the country's Constitution, the government has placed four key principles -- service, good governance, prosperity and pride -- at the core of its governance, she said.

"The government is making rapid advances in its commitment to reform, perform and transform. The guiding mantra of my government is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' and its goal is the creation of a Viksit Bharat," she said.

New Delhi | As Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar mentioned the Maha Kumbh stampede while reading out President Droupadi Murmu's address in English during a joint sitting of Parliament on Friday, chants of "shame, shame" emanated from the opposition benches.

In her address, Murmu said the Maha Kumbh is a festival of India's cultural tradition and social consciousness, and expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede that took place on Wednesday.

"Millions of devotees from across the country and the world have taken a holy dip at Prayagraj. I express my sorrow over the unfortunate incident that occurred on Mauni Amavasya and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," she said.

While reading out the President's speech in English, Dhankhar reiterated what she said about the Maha Kumbh stampede, prompting cries of "shame, shame" from some opposition members.

Earlier, when Murmu talked about northeastern states in her speech, few opposition members were heard saying, "Manipur, Manipur".

At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.

New Delhi | The day is not far when an Indian citizen will travel to space aboard the indigenously developed Gaganyaan spacecraft, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

In her address to both Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber, Murmu also lauded ISRO for the success it had achieved in the space docking experiment.

"The recent success in space docking has further paved the way for India to establish its own space station,” the President said.

“Just a few days ago, ISRO conducted its 100th launch, successfully placing the satellite in orbit. I congratulate ISRO and all the citizens of the country for this achievement,” the President said.

Murmu said the youth of India were making the country proud in every field, from start-ups and sports to space exploration.

"To boost the space sector, a 1,000 crore rupees venture capital fund has been launched," the President said.

Gaganyaan will be ISRO's first attempt to acquire human spaceflight capabilities. Before sending the crew, the space agency is planning to send an uncrewed mission to space under its Gaganyaan project.

ISRO's maiden human spaceflight is expected to be launched later next year.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government has undertaken several initiatives to mitigate impacts of climate change, including releasing climate-resilient crop varieties and launching river interlinking projects to provide water to drought-affected areas.

The government has released 109 climate-resilient, bio-fortified and high-yielding advanced crop varieties to farmers in the past six months, Murmu said while addressing a joint sitting of Parliament which marked the start of the Budget session.

"To build a weather-ready and climate-smart India, my government has launched Mission Mausam at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore which will also benefit our farmers," she said.

The President said that following the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the government has made headway on historic river interlinking projects to provide irrigation and drinking water in the drought-affected areas of the country.

"The Ken-Betwa Link Project, with a cost of over Rs 44,000 crore, will benefit millions of brothers and sisters in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh," she said.

Murmu further said the government has introduced the BioE3 Policy to boost bio-manufacturing which will serve as the facilitator for the next industrial revolution.

The focus of bioeconomy is on the efficient utilisation of natural resources to create new employment opportunities while preserving the environment, she said.

New Delhi | The government is establishing a modern education system for students through the National Education Policy, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday while noting that the number and quality of higher education institutions has increased significantly over the past decade.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, signalling the start of the Budget session, the President noted that a new law has been enacted to prevent incidents of paper leaks and ensure transparency in recruitment.

"Through the National Education Policy, my government is establishing a modern education system for students. To ensure no one is deprived of education, opportunities for learning in mother tongues are being provided. Additionally, various recruitment exams are being conducted in 13 Indian languages, eliminating language barriers.

"To foster innovation among children, over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established in schools," she said.

Murmu noted that over the past decade, the number of higher education institutions has increased significantly, and their quality has also improved.

"Over the past decade, the number of higher education institutions has increased significantly, and their quality has also improved. In the QS World University Asia Rankings, 163 Indian universities have been included. The inauguration of the new Nalanda University campus has revived India's ancient glory in education.

"My government has placed special focus on education for the youth and creating new employment opportunities for them. The PM Vidyalakshmi scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance to meritorious students for higher education. Additionally, one crore youth will be given internship opportunities in top 500 companies," she said.

The President also said that for enhancing the ease of doing research, the 'One Nation-One Subscription Scheme' has recently been introduced, offering free access to international research materials.

The government has also approved the proposal to establish the Tribhuvan Cooperative University following the spirit of prosperity through cooperation, she said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday highlighted India's strides in developing a "world-class sports ecosystem" and lauded the country's recent successes in international competitions, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and the World Chess Championship.

The government, she said, has taken "significant steps" to strengthen the sporting infrastructure through initiatives like the Khelo India Scheme and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

In her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, she also pointed to the establishment of the National Sports University as a crucial step in this direction.

"A special sports centre for Divyang athletes has been opened in Gwalior," she announced, underscoring the government's commitment to inclusive sports development.

The President praised India's athletes for their consistent excellence on global platforms, saying, "Our teams, whether at the Olympics or the Paralympics, have delivered outstanding performances." She also noted the country's growing dominance in chess, citing India's remarkable success at the World Chess Championship.

Murmu further emphasised the role of fitness in nation-building, pointing to the Fit India Movement as a key initiative to empower the country's youth.

"Through the Fit India Movement, we are building a strong and empowered youth force," she said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is committed to fulfilling the dream of middle-class people to own residential properties and is providing interest subsidies on home loans.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, she said the real estate law RERA was introduced to safeguard their dreams.

"My government is equally committed to fulfilling the middle class's dream of owning a home. Laws like RERA have been introduced to safeguard their dreams. Subsidies on home loans are being provided," Murmu said.

In the third term of the government, the President said that concrete steps have been taken to achieve the goal of providing 'Housing for All'.

"Extending the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, we have decided to provide new homes to an additional 3 crore families. A budget of Rs 5,36,000 crore has been allocated for this purpose," Murmu said.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 10, 2016, and by the Lok Sabha on March 15, 2016. The Bill passed by Parliament was assented to by the President on March 25, 2016.

Certain Sections of RERA were notified with effect from May 1, 2016, and the remaining sections from May 1, 2017.

The RERA was enacted to ensure regulation and promotion of the Real Estate Sector in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner and to protect the interest of homebuyers.

This transformative legislation seeks to address vital issues of fair transactions, timely delivery and quality construction through speedy adjudication of disputes, thus empowering home buyers.

As of August 12, 2024, 1,31,873 real estate projects and 88,775 real estate agents have registered under RERA across the country. More than 1.26 lakh complaints have been disposed of by the Real Estate Regulatory Authorities across the country.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government has decided to invest about Rs 28,000 crore to set up 12 industrial nodes and develop 100 industrial parks near cities across the country.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, signalling the start of the Budget session, Murmu also said the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) initiative has made digital commerce more inclusive as small businesses now have equal opportunities to grow in the online shopping ecosystem.

"My government has decided to invest approximately 28,000 crore rupees to establish 12 industrial nodes and build 100 industrial parks near cities across the country," she said.

In August last year, the Cabinet had approved 12 industrial nodes/cities under National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.

These industrial areas will be located in Khurpia in Uttarakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerala, Agra and Prayagraj in UP, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in AP, and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.

The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built "ahead of demand" on the "plug-n-play" and "walk-to-work" concepts.

This approach ensures that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.

Murmu said the government has implemented several significant measures to promote ease of doing business in the country.

She added that the government considers small entrepreneurs as the backbone of the economy and it is committed to provide them with new opportunities for self-employment.

"The Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs and the establishment of e-commerce export hubs are promoting various industries," she said, adding that the government has conducted an extensive review of laws enacted before the Constitution came into force.

Many laws are being repealed or amended to ensure that the entire system can meet the current social and economic challenges, the President said.

Over 40,000 regulations have been simplified or reduced and 3,500 provisions have been decriminalised.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday that providing affordable and quality healthcare to every section of society is the government's top priority and with improved hospital facilities and treatment options, healthcare expenses are steadily decreasing.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, signalling the start of the Budget session, Murmu said the U-WIN portal has been launched to ensure accurate tracking of vaccination programmes for pregnant women and children, and around 30 crore vaccine doses have been recorded on this platform so far.

Providing affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to every section of society is a top priority of the government, Murmu said.

"With improved hospital facilities, treatment options and the availability of medicines, healthcare expenses for ordinary families are steadily decreasing," Murmu said.

India has seen substantial improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates, she said.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above will receive health insurance, with a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year, she said.

To ensure that better healthcare services reach citizens, 1,75,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country, she said.

Considering the rising number of cancer patients and the high cost of treatment, several cancer drugs have been exempted from customs duty, she noted.

Nearly 9 crore women have been screened for cervical cancer, she added.

To ensure accurate tracking of vaccination programmes for pregnant women and children, the U-WIN portal has been launched, the President said.

"So far, around 30 crore vaccine doses have been recorded on this platform," she said.

Due to the efforts of the government, significant progress has been made in combating encephalitis, with the mortality rate due to the disease reducing to 6 per cent, she said.

"Under the National TB Eradication Programme, the number of TB patients has also decreased," she said, urging all citizens and MPs to contribute towards the success of the TB-free India campaign.

Murmu further stated that through telemedicine, over 30 crore e-teleconsultations have provided healthcare benefits to citizens.

"The government is also working on creating 75,000 new seats in medical colleges over the next five years," she said.

The government is boosting health infrastructure and medical equipment manufacturing. New bulk drug and medical device parks are being developed in the country, creating numerous employment opportunities, the President said.

New Delhi | India's aviation sector is growing rapidly and the government is expanding the number of airports for operations of more than 1,700 planes ordered by the domestic airlines, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

She also said that around 1.5 crore people have flown in planes under the government's regional air connectivity scheme UDAN.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, marking the start of the Budget Session, Murmu said India's aviation sector is growing rapidly.

"The country's airline companies have placed orders for more than 1,700 new aircraft. We are expanding airports to operate such a large fleet. Over the past decade, the number of airports in the country has doubled," the President said.

While emphasising that her government is equally committed to fulfilling the middle class' dream of owning a home, she said laws like RERA have been introduced to safeguard their dreams and subsidies on home loans are being provided.

"Through the UDAN scheme, about 1.5 crore people have fulfilled their dream of flying in airplanes. Jan Aushadhi Kendras, offering medicines at 80% concessional rates have helped save more than 30,000 crore rupees for citizens. The multifold increase in the number of seats for education in various disciplines has significantly benefited the middle class," she added.

New Delhi | Kashmir has now been connected to Kanyakumari through a railway line as the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail project is complete, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.

Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, the president highlighted the achievements of the Railway Ministry.

“The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed, connecting the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through a railway line,” Murmu said.

"Under this ambitious project, the Chenab bridge has been constructed, which is the highest railway bridge in the world. Additionally, India's first rail cable bridge, the Anji Bridge, has been completed.” The president also said that 71 Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains are operational across the country, with 17 new Vande Bharat trains and one Namo Bharat train added in the past six months.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government has made headway on two historic river interlinking projects to provide irrigation and drinking water in the drought-affected areas of the country.

Addressing the joint session of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, President Murmu said the Ken-Betwa Link Project, with a cost of over 44,000 crore rupees, will benefit millions of brothers and sisters in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and the revised Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project will address irrigation and drinking water needs in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

"Following the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, my government has made headway on two historic river interlinking projects to provide irrigation and drinking water in the drought-affected areas of the country," she said.

An additional 12,000 crore rupees has been sanctioned to expedite the completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, she said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said digital fraud, cybercrime and emerging technologies such as deep fakes pose challenge to India's social, economic, and national security.

Addressing both the Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber, Murmu said the government has taken numerous measures to control these cyber threats, creating opportunities for employment in the field of cybersecurity for the youth.

"Digital fraud, cybercrime, and emerging technologies like deep fakes pose challenges to our social, economic, and national security," the President said.

"My government is continuously working to ensure competence in cybersecurity. As a result of these efforts, India has achieved tier-1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index," she said.

Murmu said the government has emphasised e-governance to minimise government interference in people's daily lives.

"For instance, DigiLocker has enabled individuals to access and display their important documents anytime, anywhere. However, in an increasingly digital society, cybersecurity has become a crucial issue of national importance," she said.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday underscored the government's commitment to women-led development, emphasizing key initiatives aimed at empowering women across the country.

Addressing the joint session of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, President Murmu also pointed to the impact of the National Rural Livelihood Mission under which over 91 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) are providing financial and social empowerment to more than 10 crore women.

These groups have received over ?9 lakh crore through bank linkages, significantly enhancing their economic independence.

“My government firmly believes in empowering the nation through women-led development,” she asserted, highlighting the significance of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', which ensures reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. She described it as a crucial step towards greater political representation for women.

A key focus of the government, she said, was the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative, which aims to create three crore financially independent women.

“Today, over 1.15 crore Lakhpati Didis are leading dignified lives, with about 50 lakh joining this category in just the past six months,” she noted. These women are now contributing to their family incomes as entrepreneurs.

President Murmu also spoke about the government's efforts to expand financial inclusion, citing the Bima Sakhi campaign launched a few months ago under the “Insurance for All” vision.

She lauded the work of Banking and Digi-Payment Sakhis in connecting remote areas to the financial system, while Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis are promoting sustainable farming and livestock management.

Technological empowerment, she added, was being advanced through the Drone Didi Yojana, which is enabling women to harness drone technology for various economic activities.

Highlighting the increasing role of women in national security and corporate leadership, she noted with pride that India's daughters are now flying fighter jets, joining the police force and leading businesses.

The government's decision to open National Military Schools and the National Defence Academy to female cadets has further expanded opportunities for young girls in the defence sector, she said.

President Murmu also acknowledged the achievements of Indian sportswomen on the global stage.

“Our daughters are making the nation proud by winning medals in the Olympics,” she said.

President Murmu extended her heartfelt congratulations to the women of India through Parliament, emphasizing their invaluable contributions to the nation's progress.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is working towards modernisation and self-reliance in the agriculture sector while focusing on boosting farmers' income.

Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, Murmu highlighted that India achieved a record foodgrain production of 322 million tonnes in 2023-24.

"Our aim is to achieve modernisation and self-reliance in the agriculture sector," she said, adding that the government is dedicated to ensuring better returns for farmers.

The President noted that last month, Rs 41,000 crore was distributed to millions of farmers under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

She also mentioned the approval of Tribuvan Sahakai University to promote prosperity through cooperatives.

Among key initiatives, Murmu highlighted the approval of a National Mission on Oilseeds to boost production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils.

The agri-infrastructure fund scheme has been expanded to strengthen farm infrastructure nationwide, which is expected to generate rural employment.

The government has consistently increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for both rabi and kharif crops, spending three times more funds in the last decade on wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals.

In recent developments, 109 high-yield, climate-resilient, and bio-fortified seed varieties have been made available to farmers in the last six months. A special package with additional subsidy has been announced for affordable DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) fertilisers.

The President also mentioned the promotion of aquaculture to boost the fishery sector and the launch of Mission Mausam with an Rs 2,000-crore outlay, which she said would benefit farmers.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday lauded the government for launching 'Mission Mausam' to make India "weather ready and climate smart" and said this initiative will immensely benefit the farmers of the country.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, signalling the start of the Budget session, Murmu said the government has set aside Rs 2,000 crore for the implementation of the mission.

As part of the celebrations marking the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) 150th foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 14 launched 'Mission Mausam' which aims to improve weather understanding and forecasting through expanded observation networks, better modelling and advanced tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The mission includes creating a laboratory to artificially develop clouds, increasing the number of radars by over 150 per cent and adding new satellites, supercomputers and other innovations.

India aims to achieve 100 per cent detection of all types of severe weather at village and household levels by 2047 and reduce the loss of life from such events to zero, according to the IMD's Vision-2047 document released by PM Modi on January 14.

New Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government has accorded top priority to the welfare of tribal people who were ignored for decades even after India gained Independence.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, signalling the start of the Budget session, Murmu said Dalits, tribals and underprivileged people are benefitting the most from the efforts being made by the government.

"Our tribal communities were ignored for decades even after Independence. My government has given top priority to their welfare," Murmu, the first tribal president of India, said.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and PM JANMAN Yojana are prime examples of it, she added.

She said the government has established more than 670 special schools or Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to provide quality education to tribal students in the country. Around 1.25 lakh tribals students are currently enrolled in EMRS.

The government has established 30 medical colleges in tribal-dominated areas of the country in the last 10 years, she said.

Murmu said her government also started a special mission to eradicate sickle cell disease among tribal communities. Five crore tribal people have been screened under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission so far, she said.

The government has launched the "Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan" to improve the socio-economic conditions of five crore tribal people, she said.

The initiative was originally introduced as the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA) to uplift tribal communities by ensuring their households and villages, including those in aspirational blocks with a significant tribal population, receive basic facilities within a set time frame.