Delhi, January 31: President of India Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint session of Parliament on Friday, presenting the government’s vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and outlining key policy initiatives. She emphasised rapid economic growth, welfare programs, infrastructure expansion, and social development as the driving forces for India’s progress.
In her address, she paid tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the framers of the Indian Constitution, acknowledging the 75-year journey of the Republic. She also expressed condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and extended her sympathies to those affected by the incident at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
Highlighting the government’s focus on inclusive development, President Murmu stated that the pace of governance had accelerated, with priority given to the poor, middle class, women, farmers, and youth. She announced an expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with a budget allocation of Rs 5.36 lakh crore to provide homes to three crore additional families. The SVAMITVA scheme has distributed 2.25 crore property cards to rural landowners, and Rs 41,000 crore has been disbursed under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to support farmers.
For the health sector, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has been extended to cover six crore senior citizens above 70 years, offering Rs 5 lakh health insurance annually. The MUDRA loan limit for small entrepreneurs has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Additionally, a PM Vidyalakshmi scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance for higher education, and one crore youth will be given internship opportunities in top companies.
On infrastructure, the President noted that 71 Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains are operational, with 18 more introduced in the past six months. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has been allocated Rs 70,000 crore to improve rural connectivity, benefiting 25,000 villages.
Discussing governance reforms, she reiterated the government’s commitment to One Nation-One Election and amendments to the Waqf Act. She also underscored the importance of women-led development, citing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has already empowered over 1.15 crore women entrepreneurs.
President Murmu also spoke about India’s growing global stature, citing the successful hosting of the G20 Summit and the increasing role of India in global economic and political affairs. She highlighted advancements in digital payments, the UPI revolution, and India’s improved ranking in the Global Innovation Index.
The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a strong, self-reliant, and developed India by 2047. She urged all citizens to contribute towards the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, ensuring prosperity reaches every section of society.
