President Droupadi Murmu Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Lokmarg

The Whole World Has Its Eyes On India’s Budget, Modi

By LokMarg 31st January 2023

Ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India’s Budget will attempt to meet the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens amid the unstable global economic situation.

“Our Finance Minister will present one more Budget before the country tomorrow. In today’s global circumstances, not only India but the entire world is looking at India’s budget,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister firmly exuded confidence that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will make efforts to meet the aspirations.

“Amid the unstable global economic situation, India’s budget will attempt to meet the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens, the ray of hope being seen by the world glows brighter-for this, I firmly believe that Nirmala Sitharaman will make all efforts to meet those aspirations,” PM Modi said while addressing the media.

The Prime Minister cited the “credible voices from the world of the economy” and said that they have brought a positive message ahead of the session.

“Today, the Budget Session is commencing. Credible voices from the world of economy, have brought in a positive message, a ray of hope, and a beginning of enthusiasm. It is an important event today,” he said.

PM Modi said the maiden inaugural address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint session of both Houses is a matter of pride for the Constitution.

“The President is going to address a joint session for the first time today. The President’s first address to the joint session of Parliament is a matter of pride for our Constitution, and especially for respect of women. The whole world has its eyes on India,” he said.

“Our Finance Minister is a woman too. She will present one more budget before the country tomorrow. In today’s global circumstances, not only India but the entire world is looking at India’s budget,” PM Modi added.

The budget session will take place in 27 sittings till April 6 with a month-long recess to examine the budget papers. The first part of the session will conclude on February 13. Parliament will reconvene on March 12 for the second part of the Budget Session and will conclude on April 6. (ANI)

Mughal Gardens, Other Rashtrapati Bhavan Parks Renamed ‘Amrit Udyan’

By LokMarg 28th January 2023

Rashtrapati Bhavan is home to a rich variety of gardens and President Droupadi Murmu has given a common name to the gardens as ‘Amrit Udyan’ to mark celebrations of 75 years of Independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

“On the occasion of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the President of India has given a common name to the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens as ‘Amrit Udyan’,” said Navika Gupta, Deputy Press Secretary to President.

The gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan also included Mughal Garden. Amrit Udyan will open for public on January 31.

Ajay Singh, Press Secretary to President, said the collective identity of all the gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan will be ‘Amrit Udyan’.

“Earlier there were descriptive identities, now a new identity has been given to the gardens,” he said.

The gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan include East Lawn, Central Lawn, Long Garden and Circular Garden. During the terms of former Presidents Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Ram Nath Kovind, more gardens were developed – Herbal-I, Herbal-II, Tactile Garden, Bonsai Garden, and Arogya Vanam. (ANI)

Every Citizen Has Reasons To Be Proud Of India Story: President

By LokMarg 25th January 2023

Extending greetings to people on the eve of 74th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu has said that India’s journey has inspired many other nations and every citizen has reason to be proud of the Indian story.

In her address to the nation, President Murmu said the celebration of Republic Day is a celebration of what the people of the country have achieved together as a nation.
In her first address as President on the eve of Republic Day, President Murmu said India has succeeded as a democratic republic because so many creeds and languages “have not divided us but have united us”.

“On the eve of the 74th Republic Day, I extend my heartiest greetings to every Indian, at home and abroad. From the day the Constitution came into effect to the present day, it has been an amazing journey that has inspired many other nations. Every citizen has reason to be proud of the Indian Story. When we celebrate the Republic Day, we celebrate what we have achieved, together, as a nation,” she said.

The President said India is home to one of the oldest living civilisations.

“India is called the mother of democracy. As a modern Republic, however, we are young. In the early years of Independence, we faced countless challenges and adversities. Very high levels of poverty and illiteracy were just two of the many ill-effects of the long foreign rule. Yet, the spirit of India was undeterred. With hope and confidence, we began an experiment unique in the history of humankind,” she said.

“Such a vast and diverse multitude of people coming together as one nation remains unprecedented. We did so with a belief that we are, after all, one; that we are all Indians. We have succeeded as a democratic republic because so many creeds and so many languages have not divided us, they have only united us. That is the essence of India. That essence was at the heart of the Constitution, which has withstood the test of time,” she added.

The President said that the Constitution that started governing the life of the Republic was the outcome of the freedom struggle.

“The national movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was as much about winning Independence as about rediscovering our own ideals,” she said.

The President said those decades of struggle and sacrifice helped India win freedom not only from colonial rule but also from the imposed values and narrow world-views.

“Revolutionaries and reformers joined hands with visionaries and idealists to help us learn about our age-old values of peace, brotherhood and equality. Those who shaped the modern Indian mind also welcomed progressive ideas from abroad,” she said.

The President said a long and profound thought process culminated in Constitution.

“Our founding document is inspired by the humanistic philosophy of the oldest living civilisation in the world as well as new ideas that emerged in more recent history.”

She said the nation will always remain grateful to Dr BR Ambedkar, who headed the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, and had a critical part in giving it the final shape.

“On this day, we should also remember the role of jurist BN Rau, who had prepared the initial draft, and other experts and officers who helped in making of the constitution.”

She said the members of that assembly represented all regions and communities of India and that they included 15 women too.

“Their vision, as enshrined in the Constitution, has been continuously guiding our Republic. During this period, India has been transformed from a largely poor and illiterate nation into a confident nation marching on the world stage. This would not have been possible but for the collective wisdom of the Constitution-makers guiding our path.”

President Murmu said while Babasaheb Ambedkar and others gave the map and a moral framework, “the task of walking that path remains our responsibility.”

“We have largely remained true to their expectations, and yet we realize that much remains to be done to realize Gandhiji’s ideal of ‘Sarvodaya’, the upliftment of all. Yet, the progress we have made on all fronts is encouraging,” she said. (ANI)

President Murmu performs rudrabhishek at Uttarakhand Raj Bhavan temple

By LokMarg 9th December 2022

President Droupadi Murmu, on the second day of her two-day visit to Uttarakhand, on Friday, performed a “rudrabhishek” at the Raj Pragyeshwar Mahadev Temple inside the Raj Bhavan here.

She also inaugurated the Nakshatra Vatika at the governor’s official residence.
Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.), his wife Gurmeet Kaur, along with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were also present.

President Murmu on Friday is scheduled to address the valedictory function of the 97th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.

She will also attend the annual convocation ceremony of Doon University here in the state capital during the day.

On Thursday, after reaching the hill state, the President praised Uttarakhand for its immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’.

She attended a civic reception hosted in her honour by the State Government here on Thursday evening.

President Murmu also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport, on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dhami presented a shawl made from Kandali fibre to the President. She was also presented with a memento made of a mixture of Uttarakhand’s folk art style Thape and Aipan.

Addressing a gathering, the President said that the contribution of the land and the people of Uttarakhand to Mother India are immense.

“Uttarakhand is the source of many rivers that have irrigated and developed a large part of India. The Himalayas and Uttarakhand are embedded in the hearts and souls of Indians. Our sages have been taking shelter in the caves and caverns of the Himalayas in search of knowledge. This state has been a source of wellness, both in terms of spiritual peace and physical healing,” she said.

“The state has immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’,” she said.

Remembering the contributions of brave soldiers of Uttarakhand in India’s defence, the President said that on behalf of the people of India, she would express her gratitude to the brave sons of Uttarakhand.

“The entire Himalayan land, including Uttarakhand, has been the centre of Shakti worship since time immemorial. A part of the same dignity and strength is found in the life stories of brave-woman like Rani Karnavati, forest conservators like Gaura Devi and like Bachendri Pal, the first woman to hoist the tricolour on Mount Everest,” said the President.

She was happy to note that the young daughters of Uttarakhand are also moving forward on the path of progress.

The President said that we are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is our duty to remember the known and unknown freedom fighters. She recalled the contributions of Bishni Devi Shah, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, Dev Suman, Kesari Chand, Indramani Badoni and Govind Ballabh Pant.

She said that efforts should be made to acquaint the young generation of the entire country with the contribution of these personalities of Uttarakhand.

In the context of the younger generation, the President mentioned Lakshya Sen, who was conferred with the Arjuna Award and said that the 21-year-old Sen sets an ideal for the youth of the entire nation to aim towards achieving excellence in their respective fields.

The President said that she was happy to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport.

She also appreciated the people of Uttarakhand and said that the hardworking and talented residents of the state have contributed significantly to its developmental journey. (ANI)

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Murmu To Confer National Awards For Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities

By LokMarg 3rd December 2022

President Droupadi Murmu will confer national awards for outstanding work towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

For the year 2022, a total of 1,210 applications were received for the selection process which consisted of the examination of documents and records submitted by the applicants. These applications were screened and shortlisted by the Screening Committees constituted by the Department.
In the year 2021, a total of 844 applications were received for the award.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in a statement said that the awards will be given to individuals, institutions, organizations, and states or districts, for their outstanding achievements and work towards the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment confers national awards for outstanding achievements and work done towards the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities every year.

Till 2017, the Award Scheme was governed under the National Awards Rules, 2013 which provided 7 categories of disabilities as per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.

However, with the coming into force of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 with effect from April 19, 2017, the number of specified disabilities increased from 7 to 21 under the new Law.

Accordingly, all 21 disabilities have been included under the National Award Guidelines which have been notified in the Extraordinary Gazette of India dated August 2, 2018. (ANI)

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Khel Ratna Award Is The Best Way To Finish 2022: Achanta Sharath Kamal

By LokMarg 30th November 2022

Table Tennis legend and Commonwealth Games medalist Achanta Sharath Kamal said that winning three gold and one silver and receiving the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2022 is the best way to finish the year.

The CWG gold medallist will receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest sporting honour, from President Droupadi Murmu on November 30 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
It is India’s highest sporting honour given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It was rechristened from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award last year.

“It is a fantastic moment. Not just for me but for the whole Table Tennis fraternity because of the kind of performances that I have had over the last three-four years. I am slowly starting to peak now in my career and the way I played the 2022 Birmingham Games. I got these three medals. Three gold and one silver. I can’t ask for more 2022 has been fantastic and this is the best way to finish 2022 with the Khel Ratna award. The government giving me this recognition. I am really happy that it has finally come now after 30 years of being in sports I have come to the stature and the best sportsperson in the country. Initially, I was the best sportsperson in Table Tennis. Slowly over the years, I have scaled up to the height where I am the best spokesperson in the country. I am really happy to get the award now,” Achanta Sharath Kamal told ANI.

Kamal will become the second TT player after Manika Batra to receive the honour, as per Olympics.com. The 40-year-old has had a great 2022, in which he won three gold medals and a silver at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham earlier this year in August.

“Getting an award in front of family. My wife is here and a few other friends are here so really excited to go in the evening and be there. Part of the ceremony and share the moment with friends and family,” said the CWG champion.

He is the only player nominated for the award this year by India’s national sports awards selection committee, which recommended 11 players last year and five in 2020.

Speaking about the time he claimed a place in the top 50 rankings in the world and won Commonwealth Games gold Kamal said he has a fantastic career and he has come so far in it.

“I just played the sport because I liked it. I liked playing the sport. I liked going to the club and being around the kids but I think when I wanted to take the sport professionally up at the age of 15-16 at that point of time I wanted to be the best player from India to have played the sport. So, at that point in time it was like breaking into the top 50 in the world or getting a commonwealth gold but with such a long career a fantastic one I have been able to win 7 gold medals. I am really happy that I have come this far,” he added.

List of Indian athletes recommended for Arjuna Award for 2022: Seema Punia (athletics), Eldhose Paul (athletics), Avinash Sable (athletics), Lakshya Sen (badminton), HS Prannoy (badminton), Amit Panghal (boxing), Nikhat Zareen (boxing), Bhakti Kulkarni (chess), R Praggnanandha (chess), Deep Grace Ekka (hockey), Shushila Devi (judo), Sakshi Kumari (kabaddi), Nayan Moni Saikia (lawn bowls), Sagar Ovhalkar (mallakhamb), Elavenil Valarivan (shooting), Om Prakash Mitharval (shooting), Sreeja Akula (table tennis), Vikas Thakur (weightlifting), Anshu Malik (wrestling), Sarita Mor (wrestling), Parveen (wushu), Manashi Joshi (para-badminton), Tarun Dhillon (para-badminton), Swapnil Patil (para swimming), Jerlin Anika J (deaf badminton). (ANI)

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Do Something For People Languishing In Jails For Petty Offences: Prez

By LokMarg 26th November 2022

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday urged courts to help people languishing in jails for petty offences who are not aware of their fundamental rights or fundamental duties that are laid down in Part IV-A of the Constitution.

The President made the remarks while addressing the valedictory function of the ‘Constitution Day’ celebrations, organized by the Supreme Court in the national capital.
President Murmu said, “
Aap logon ko uske liye kuchh karna chahiye. Saalon saal nahi chhuratein hain unko
. (You [courts] should do something for these people. They are languishing in jails for many years).”

The President added that such prisoners have been languishing behind bars for petty offenses such as slapping.

She also pointed out that many, who have taken the lives of others are roaming free but those booked for petty offenses are still lodged in jails.

President Murmu said, “Increasing the number of jails does not qualify as development. We should introspect, instead, on why there should be jails in the first place.”

She said the courts are for the people and by the people and, hence, must think about the people.

Getting emotional as she spoke about her childhood days in her native village, President Murmu said villagers hold three professions — teaching, medicine, and law — in high regard. She said doctors and lawyers take professional vows to help people in need.

She said as Jharkhand governor, she had the opportunity to work for people languishing in jails for petty offenses.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the former chief justice of Jharkhand High Court DN Patel and the chief of Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority Pradip Kumar Mohanty, in this regard. (ANI)

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Samyukta Kisan Morcha To Hold Marches To Raj Bhawans On Nov 26

By LokMarg 17th November 2022

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday announced that it would conduct large farmers’ marches to Raj Bhavans on the second anniversary of the SKM-led farmers’ struggle and submit a memorandum to the President Droupadi Murmu through the respective Governors on November 26.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, SKM leaders including Darshan Pal, Hannan Mollah, Yudhvir Singh, Avik Saha, and Ashok Dhawale gave a call to all the farmers of the country to hold the march.
With many other demands, SKM has asked the government to provide a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for all the crops that should be set at a profit margin of 50 percent.

The farmers have also demanded legal action against union minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni, who is accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre of farmers and journalists.

SKM leaders also demanded a comprehensive and effective crop insurance scheme to speedily compensate farmers for crop loss due to natural calamities, farmers’ pension of Rs 5,000 per month to all marginal, small, and medium-scale farmers and agricultural workers, and withdrawal of all false cases against farmers during the SKM movement and also payment of compensation to families of all farmers who were martyred during SKM movement, along with the major local demands of the respective states.

It was on 26 November 2020 when SKM had launched the historic “March to Delhi” which became the world’s longest and largest farmer’s movement and led to the astounding victory of farmers against the corporate-political nexus to oust farmers from their land and livelihood, the SKM press release said.

SKM’s National Council held a meeting on 14 November 2022 at Gurudwara Rakabganj, New Delhi, and strongly condemned the Narendra Modi-led ruling government for “betraying” the farmers.

According to the statement by the Morcha, the government betrayed the farmers of the country by not implementing the written assurances made on 9 December 2021 on legally guaranteed MSP.

The meeting resolved to advise all constituent organisations to be prepared to further intensify the struggle across the country.

“The March to Raj Bhawan across India marks the beginning of the next phase of the farmer’s protest. Hence, SKM appealed to all farmers to prepare for and join continuous and committed countrywide struggles till all demands including “Karza Mukti – Poora Daam” – “Freedom from Indebtedness and Full Remunerative Price”- are fulfilled by the Government. Legally guaranteed MSP for all crops and freedom from indebtedness are the major demands the farmers have been fighting for since the rollout of neo-liberal policies that aggravated the agrarian crisis and peasant suicides,” the statement said.

“Since 1995, more than 4 lakh farmers have committed suicide in India and around 68% of the peasant households are indebted and in financial distress. These demands along with the demands of the repeal of three pro-corporate Farm Laws and the Electricity Bill 2020 led to the historic one-year-long farmers’ struggle at the Delhi borders since 26-27 November 2020 which was actively supported by all sections of the working people in India,” it further said.

The morcha has announced a plan of action to intensify the protests for the coming weeks with the focus on massive protest gatherings beginning from the village level and spreading across the country.

It will organise Fateh Diwas or Victory Day all over the country on 19 November 2022.

“It may be recalled that the Modi Government had to give in to the main demand of repeal of the three farm laws on 19 November 2021. In the face of sustained protests by farmers, it also gave a written assurance on 9 December 2021 to set up a committee on MSP law, with fair representation from SKM, and on other demands. It was on the basis of this assurance that the farmers returned home on 11 December 2021, suspending their historic struggle at the Delhi Borders in which more than 700 farmers were martyred. In this backdrop, SKM shall celebrate 19 November 2022, the first anniversary of the capitulation and declaration of withdrawal of the 3 Black Farm Laws by PM Modi, as Fateh Diwas or Victory Day,” it said.

Farmers will stage a protest march from December 1-11 to the offices of Lok Sabha and Raj Sabha MPs of all the political parties and also to leaders and MLAs of all State Assemblies and a call-to-action letter would also be submitted to all of them, demanding that they bring up the issue of farmers demands in Parliament/State Assemblies and force a debate and resolution of these issues, as per the SKM’s statement.

The next meeting of the SKM is scheduled on December 8, 2022, at Karnal in which the next phase of the movement will be decided and announced. (ANI)

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Remark Against Murmu: BJP Seeks Disciplinary Action Against TMC Leader Akhil Giri

By LokMarg 12th November 2022

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday wrote to the National Commission for Women (NCW), and requested for the immediate arrest of West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Akhil Giri and take appropriate action against him and “try to dismiss him from the MLA post also” over his objectionable remark on the President of India Droupadi Murmu.

“Trinamool leader Akhil Giri, during a meeting in Nandigram, has collectively commented on The Respected President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu Ji for her Looks and her Caste he says “Deakte valo noi. Aha-ha ke Rupushi! Amra ruper bacher kori na. Tumar Rastropati kamon deakte Baba?” West Bengal BJP MP Saumitra Khan said in a letter to the commission on Saturday.
He said that Giri’s statement was a very despicable act, and it cannot be forgiven under any circumstances, nor can it be left at any point.

“She (Droupadi Murmu) is respected excellency for 140 crores of Indian people. This is an insult to our Democratic System, this is an insult to our Fare Constitutional Structure and This is an insult to all 140 crores of Indian Citizens,” the letter read.

“This issue is not only related to women’s respect; it also reflects their thinking. And this type of thinking cannot be left in society because it is harmful to society as well as the country. I request the commission to immediately arrest Akhil Giri for this heinous act and take appropriate action against him,” the letter added.

Akhil Giri made the objectionable remarks against the President of India on Friday while talking about West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari following an incident of unrest in the BJP leader’s Nandigram constituency over the Martyrs’ Day event.

Speaking to the media the BJP leader Saumitra Khan said, “It is only India where a tribal woman can be the president. But the kind of statement that TMC minister Akhil Giri has made is defamatory.”

“I have written to the Prime Minister, the National Commission for Women, and also to the speaker of the West Bengal assembly, and requested to immediately expel TMC leader Akhil Giri for his statement, and I would like to request all the tribal community and women of West Bengal to launch a protest, this is an insult of the President and all tribal women,” he asserted. (ANI)

Murmu Undergoes Successful Cataract Surgery

By LokMarg 16th October 2022

President Droupadi Murmu underwent cataract surgery on Sunday at the Army Hospital (Referral and Research), New Delhi.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the surgery was successful and she has been discharged from the Hospital.
President Murmu was on a two-day visit to Assam that concluded on Friday. During this, Murmu paid a visit to the shaktipeeth Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. (ANI)