1. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be present amongst you on the occasion of the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan. On this historic day 102 years ago, the greatest Pravasi Bhartiya of all times Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.

Vice chancellors of central universities;

Directors of IITs, NITs, IISERs and other institutions of learning;

Heads of various civil service academies;

Faculty members;

Officer trainees of civil services;

My dear students:

Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta,

Honourable Ministers from Kenya,

Distinguished Guests,

Namaskar!

Habari Ya Jioni!

Mr. President,

We are delighted to welcome you today.

Your Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome Your Highness and the esteemed members of your distinguished delegation to India.

Fellow citizens:

Honourable Members,

1. In this Basant season of renewal and resurgence, I welcome you all to this Joint Session of both Houses of Parliament. This is a historic session heralding the advancement of the Budget cycle and merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget for the first time in independent India. We gather once again to celebrate democracy, a cherished value and culture that has prospered throughout the long history of our nation. Indeed, a culture that guides my government towards Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

1.I am happy to bein Kochi today atthe latest edition of the Kochi-MuzirisBiennale.

2.TheBiennale,which is today known as the People’s Biennale,has become an integral part of the cultural calendar of our country. It has rejuvenated Kerala’s longstandingcontribution to visual artsand culture, and cemented Kochi’s status as acosmopolitan city brimming with potential and ideas.

1. I am happy to be in Kerala to deliver the 6th Memorial Lecture in honour of eminent lawyer and former Member of the Kerala Public Men Inquiry Commission, Shri K.S. Rajamony.

1.It gives me immense pleasure to be here today at Air Force Station Tambaram, one of the oldest establishments of the Indian Air Force, to award the President’s ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to Mechanical Training Institute. These units have a glorious past, embedded with rich heritage, stellar efforts and selfless service to the Nation.

1.At the very outset, I would like to welcome guests from India and abroad for participating in the presentation of the ninth national biennial award for grassroots innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. At the outset, let me congratulate the award winners for their contribution in the sphere of innovation.