I-Day speech: President Kovind calls for New India, skirts divisive issues

He called for a partnership between citizen & govt, individual & society, family & wider community

Invoking rule of law to build a new India, President Ram Nath Kovind opted to refer to divisive issues only obliquely in his first address to the nation as President on the eve of India's 71st independence day. Kovind emphasised sharing, philanthropy and values of good neighbourliness as the principal creed of India.

He referred to Jawaharlal Nehru as a brave freedom fighter, one of the many who helped India gain its freedom. In the same breath he mentioned Ambedkar who instilled rule of law and the value of education; and Sardar Patel who introduced discipline in the national character.