In President Kovind’s Budget Session speech, dreams of ‘New India’ and advice for new voters: 10 points

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday kick started the Budget Session 2019 by addressing the joint session of Parliament. During his address, the President highlighted the achievements of the ruling Narendra Modi government, hailing it for taking several initiatives towards the betterment of the country. The President said that country was going through the times of uncertainty when the Modi government came to power in 2014. After assuming the office, he said, the government has worked to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people from every section. The President said that the year 2019 will be decisive for the country as it is set to celebrate the democracy’s biggest festival in the form of Lok Sabha elections. He also offered a vote of advice to the first time voters saying that they will now decide the future course of the country’s policies and decisions by using their franchise.

Below are the 10 key points of President Ram Nath Kovind's Budget Session speech:

1. Glad that our country is following the dreams of Gandhiji to build an inclusive society based on ethics and principles. Our nation is moving ahead guided by the ideals of social & economic justice as enshrined in the Constitution by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.
2. From day one, the mission of my Government was to improve the lives of our citizens, to eradicate their difficulties owing to poor governance, and to make sure that the benefit of public services reach the lowest strata of society.
3. Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, more than 9 crore toilets have been constructed. It is the outcome of this mass movement that coverage of rural sanitation, which was less than 40 per cent in 2014, has increased to 98 per cent.
4. Under the world’s biggest health care scheme, ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan’, 50 crore poor are eligible for availing treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year per family in case of a serious illness. More than 10 lakh poor have already availed free treatment.
5. The programmes and Ministries conceived by Atalji played a vital role in eliminating the social imbalances during the initial years of 21st Century. But unfortunately these initiatives did not get the desired momentum and continuity in subsequent years.
6. A historic decision has been taken in the Winter Session of Parliament to pass the 103rd Amendment to the Constitution to extend the benefit of reservation to the poor belonging to the general category.
7. Youth are the greatest strength of our nation. India has the largest number of young people in the world, and the policy decisions of my Government have been inspired by the aspirations and dreams of young Indians of 21st century.
8. Our daughters are making remarkable contribution in every field today and have brought laurels to the country. It is for the first time since independence that the policies & programmes of the Govt have created numerous new opportunities for enterprise for women.
9. This year, our country will set a decisive direction for the strong, self-reliant and prosperous new India of the 21st century. This year's general elections will be celebrated as the biggest celebration of democracy.
10. I give my best wishes to the youth who will vote for the first time in Lok Sabha elections. Being a citizen of India, now they will use their franchise and decide the direction of the country's policy and decisions.