I am glad to be here today on the historic occasion of Constitution Day. On this day 73 years ago, the Constituent Assembly adopted this document of our collective destiny. We are commemorating today the adoption of the Constitution that has not only guided the journey of the Republic over the decades, but has also inspired several other nations in the drafting of their constitutions.

I am glad to be here among you today in this "land of the Mizos”. The state of Mizoram is blessed by Mother Nature and so are its wonderful people. It is my pleasure to visit Mizoram for the first time as President, and I thank you for the warm welcome you have accorded me.

India, as we say, is a celebration of diversity. The states of the North-Eastern region add special richness to that variety. You are among those who receive the rising sun first, and ahead of the rest of the Indians in that way.

Dear Friends,

It gives me immense pleasure to attend the 17th Convocation of Mizoram University today at Aizawl. Aizawl is the largest city and the capital of Mizoram. This beautiful City is situated on a ridge with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east. Different Mizo communities live here in peaceful coexistence. This lively and bustling city is attractive beyond description.

It is a great privilege to visit your beautiful state. I am deeply touched by the warm reception accorded to me by the Government and people of Nagaland. I thank you all for your love and affection.

It is my pleasure to visit Assam, the land of Maa Kamakhya Devi. With its captivating beauty and tranquility, Assam has the distinction of being the number one tea producing state in the country and home to two-third of the world’s one-horned rhinos. As Brahmaputra River flows majestically across the region, it provides a link to India’s North East and gateway to South East Asian countries. In such a beautiful surrounding is situated the campus of IIT Guwahati.

I am very pleased to interact with the young officers and trainees of Indian Defence Estates Service, Indian Telecom Service, Indian Skill Development Service and Indian Trade Service.

I congratulate all of you for successfully clearing the prestigious competitive examinations conducted by UPSC, and also completing a substantial part of your training. I am told that some of you have already completed your training and are posted as officers.

Dear young officers,

I am glad to welcome you all to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Let me first congratulate each one of you on joining the Indian Foreign Service! I can feel your enthusiasm and dreams. You must be impatient to step out and make your mark. I appreciate your attitude because that is what is going to transform India.

I am delighted to be here today in the inauguration of St. Joseph’s University. It must be a moment of pride for each one of you as your Institution has rendered continuous service in the field of education over the last 140 years. With a modest beginning as a college in 1882, today the college has emerged as a leading institution. I have been told that the institution has been maintaining high standard which is praiseworthy. It is in the fitness of things that your institution has been granted the status of a university.

I am delighted to be among you all on this momentous occasion. It is indeed a historic moment not only for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), but also for the whole country to have a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture Cryogenic and Semi-cryogenic Engines. I am told that it will cater to the needs of the Indian Space Programs, thereby adding to the many achievements of our country. I congratulate all the people associated with this prestigious project.

I welcome all the participants of the 62nd National Defence College Course to Rashtrapati Bhavan. I also extend a warm welcome to the Commandant and Faculty members of this prestigious course.

The National Defence College has a rich tradition of training senior professionals from military and civil service background in the fields of strategic security. I congratulate the NDC for continuing this tradition. I am told that this Course is in its 62nd year. The prestige associated with this course has been consistent in the past half a century for which it deserves appreciation.