“1” Speech by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the banquet hosted in honour of the heads/representatives of State/Government attending the Swearing-in-Ceremony of the Prime Minister of IndiaonMay 30, 2019 1. I warmly welcome you to Rashtrapati Bhavan. I thank you for graciously accepting our invitation to be with us for the historic swearing-in-ceremony of the new government led by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. We count you as our close friends. Our people are bound together by common democratic values. For these affinities, your presence on this august occasion is truly special for us. On cherished occasions, we Indians like to be in the company of cherished friends! 2. Today, we are celebrating democracy, the will of our people, ever nourished by their aspirations and their achievements. Only a few days ago, we successfully concluded the largest democratic exercise in human history. It was a moment of pride for us and an inspiration for millions across the world. 3. As you know, the people of India have given a decisive mandate to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This verdict is an affirmation of his visionary leadership to build a New India, not in a distant future, but in the here and now – as we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary this year of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and as we mark the 75th anniversary of our Independence in 2022. This mandate is a call from our people for an India where there is progress for all and no one is left behind; an India that is on course to eliminating extreme poverty in the coming decade, and to realizing the potential in every girl-child; an India that is at work to harness new-age technology and the limitless energy of its youth; an India that wishes to connect deeper with its rich cultural past even as it draws the contours of its promising future; and an India that is fast transforming itself as an engine of global growth and a centre of global power-relations. Page 1 of 2 4. Aspirations run high in our people. They constantly yearn for a better life for themselves and their children. There is no let-up in their demand for good governance, equal opportunities and efficient and equitable delivery of public goods and services. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi leads a government that will continue to work selflessly and tirelessly to fulfill these aspirations and enable a life of dignity and respect to our citizens. His dedication compels me to recall what Mahatma Gandhi said about democracy, and I quote – “My notion of democracy is that, under it, the weakest shall have the same opportunities, as the strongest” - unqoute. Excellencies, 5. India’s dreams are not for India alone. As we work for our progress, we remain deeply conscious of the support we draw from our close friends and our close neighbours. From the warm waters of the Indian Ocean to the earnest embrace of the Bay of Bengal and further to the shared cultural affinitiesand economic opportunities of Central Asia, our people embody similar hopes and aspirations. Over the centuries, India has been the centre- piece of a great trading system that has run from the heartland of Central Asia right to the Indian Ocean. This is our legacy, and this is also our future. For all our people and for the global community, we must work together to foster peace and prosperity in our region and beyond. Our countries remain stakeholders in each other’s progress and wellbeing. Excellencies, 6. This evening marks a new chapter in India’s onward march as a nation. I wish Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi every success as he takes on his high responsibility in the service of our people. And once again, I thank you for your august presence. May our nations prosper forever – and may we prosper together. Thank you. **** Page 2 of 2 .