1.I am happy to join you for this Eleventh Convocation of Symbiosis International University, a prominent centre of higher learning in our country. At the outset, let me thank all of you for inviting me to be a part of an occasion which is both joyous and revered.

1.It is a joyous occasion for me to be here this evening to inaugurate the Institute of Neurosciences, which is a state-of-the-art facility for Neurology, Neuro-surgery, Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry.

I am delighted to be amongst you today at the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee function of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. The Mahavidyalaya was set up in 1964 by the then Chief Minister of Odisha, the late Biju Patnaik, an ardent lover of Odishan art and culture.

It is indeed a pleasure for me to be present amidst you on the occasion of presentation of the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Today, is a significant day in the sense that on this day the United Nations General Assembly, by a Resolution in 1992, had proclaimed the observance of this day as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

1.I am happy to be here this afternoon for the launch of ‘Karnataka Mobile One’, the Mobile Governance project of the Government of Karnataka. I compliment the State Government for this pioneering effort of starting an integrated mobile-enabled services delivery system. This unique initiative, which I am told is the first-of-its-kind in the country, signals a new era in Governance.

Good evening, distinguished trustees of the Infosys Science Foundation; esteemed jury chairs, winners of the Infosys Prize 2014 and guests.

- I am happy to address this distinguished gathering and I congratulate the Infosys Science Foundation for instituting these awards which recognize and honour outstanding achievements of researchers and scientists across six categories.

-  India, under the guidance of our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, adopted science and technology as a priority from the early days of our independence.

Vice Chancellors,

Directors,

Heads of Institutions of higher learning and research institutions,

Faculty members, and

Dear Students:

My Fellow Citizens:

1.On the eve of the 66th Republic Day, I extend warm greetings to all of you in India and abroad. I convey my special greetings to members of our Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Internal Security Forces.

Your Excellency, President Barack Obama,

Mrs. Michelle Obama,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour and privilege to welcome you and the First Lady this evening, Mr. President. After having had the pleasure of meeting you in such a banquet four years ago during your last visit to India, I am doubly delighted to be able to receive you again - this time, as the host!

Shrimati Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister for Human Resource Development;

Shri Satyanarayan Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Higher Education;

Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman, University Grants Commission;

Vice Chancellors of the Central Universities;

Senior Officers;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning:

I warmly welcome all of you to this Conference. This is the third time we are meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan and I hope our deliberations shall be as focussed and meaningful as on the earlier two occasions.