Page 2 - Indian President

President Murmu asks media to do fearless reporting, stand with truth

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asked the media to do fearless reporting and stand with the truth as she saw the fourth estate playing a big role in shaping the country and society. The president, who met PTI editors at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the news agency, said everyone has a responsibility in taking the country forward and it was important how the country is presented. "Media ko nirbhikta se kam karna chaiye (media should work fearlessly)," she commented. "Kabhi satya se hatna nahi chaiye (It should never deviate from the truth)." Murmu has also penned an exclusive article for PTI on the recent incidents of sexual and physical assaults on women, which have led to widespread agitations. "You are a journalist but you are also a citizen. I too am a citizen. What you are concerned about, I am equally concerned about," she remarked on writing the article. "The media can play a crucial role in improving the country and ...

Prez Murmu stresses upon increasing focus on minerals for green transition

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday stressed upon the need to increase the focus on critical minerals for green transition. Critical minerals, including lithium, play a crucial role in the production of clean energy technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars. They are particularly in demand for the production of batteries for electric cars. Speaking during National Geoscience Awards function, Murmu said the Critical Minerals Mission can provide essential raw material for green transition. For sustainable development, she said, India is committed to net-zero emission. Murmu also said that for making India a developed nation by 2047, there is a need for self reliance on mineral production and mineral exploration. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the government is focusing on making India self reliant in critical and strategic minerals. He further said that 14 critical mineral blocks have been put on sale. The government, he said, is giving priority to offsh

India seen as 'Vishwa Bandhu' in conflict-ridden world: President Murmu

Asserting that India is engaging the world with renewed vigour to find solutions to global challenges, including climate change or taking a principled stand against international terrorism, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said the country is seen as a reliable Vishwa Bandhu' in a fast-changing and conflict-ridden world. Addressing officer trainees of the Indian Foreign Service (2023 batch), who had called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, she asked them to always be there for fellow Indians abroad. "In my recent visits abroad, I have seen for myself, the immense goodwill generated by our development partnership projects, in the field of infrastructure, education, health and agriculture; particularly in countries of the Global South," Murmu said. There is also tremendous interest in Indian soft power, including films, Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian art, crafts, dance and music, she said. "I have also sensed that our friends and partners abroad now have very high ...

President Murmu urges people to ensure safety of women on Raksha Bandhan

President Murmu said the festival instills a feeling of affection and respect towards all sisters and daughters

President Murmu, PM Modi pay tributes to Vajpayee on death anniversary

Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla along with other members of the Cabinet also attended the prayer meeting at 'Sadaiv Atal'

President Murmu conferred with Timor-Leste's highest civilian award

President Droupadi Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award, by her counterpart Jos Ramos-Horta on Saturday. Murmu, 66, received the award for her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and women empowerment, her office said in a post on X. President Murmu said that the honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between India and Timor-Leste. Murmu arrived in Dili on the last leg of her three-nation visit on Saturday after concluding her trip to New Zealand and Fiji. Murmu's trip is the first-ever presidential visit from India to the Southeast Asian nation. She was warmly received by President Ramos-Horta at the airport, her office said. Cheerful children greeted her on the way from the airport. She was also accorded a ceremonial reception and guard of honour in the Presidential Palace, Dili. President Murmu held extensive discussions with her counterpart Ramos-Horta on enhanc

President Murmu holds discussions with Timor Leste prez on boosting ties

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday reached Timor-Leste, on the last leg of her three-nation visit, after concluding her visit to New Zealand and Fiji. This will be the first-ever presidential visit from India to Timor-Leste, a Southeast Asian nation. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Furthering the Delhi-Dili connect! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrived in Dili for the first-ever Head of State level visit from India to Timor-Leste. In a special gesture, President @JoseRamosHorta1 of Timor-Leste warmly received President Murmu at the airport" During the visit, apart from the bilateral meeting with President Jose Ramos-Horta, there will also be a meeting with Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao who will call on Murmu. The president will also attend a community reception with the Indians in Timor-Leste and Friends of India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Ahead of the visit, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar told reporters in

Prez Murmu lays wreath at Pukeahu War National Memorial Park in New Zealand

President Murmu will hold a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and will address an education conference

Prez Murmu discusses ways to boost bilateral ties with New Zealand's Dy PM

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday met New Zealand's Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to discuss friendly bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Murmu arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday on the second leg of her three-nation tour. She was accorded Royal Guard of Honour on her arrival in the country. "President Droupadi Murmu held a meeting with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro of New Zealand. Both leaders hailed the warm and friendly relationship between the two countries and discussed cooperation across various sectors," the President's Office said in a post on X. Later, Peters, who is also the Foreign Minister, called on President Murmu. "Both leaders acknowledged the progress in bilateral relations and deliberated upon ways of enhancing cooperation in several areas," her office said. She also addressed the New Zealand International Education Conference in Wellington. During her address, she spoke about

President Droupadi Murmu arrives in New Zealand to boost bilateral ties

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday on the second leg of her three-nation tour during which she will meet Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other senior ministers as India seeks to give further impetus to the bilateral ties. Murmu was accorded a warm welcome by Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing and Associate Foreign Affairs, as she arrived in New Zealand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X. "A warm welcome to the Hon'ble @rashtrapatibhvn Smt. Droupadi Murmu as she arrived in New Zealand today. Warmly received by Minister @toddmcclaymp and HC Neeta Bhushan at Auckland," it said. Taking to X, McClay said it was an honour to welcome President Murmu to New Zealand. "This visit is one of many recent government engagements to deepen our relationship & boost our strong people-to-people & cultural links," he said. Murmu arrived in New Zealand after concluding .

President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Fiji, set to address Parliament

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Fiji on Monday on the first leg of her three-nation visit during which she will hold meetings with President Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as India seeks to give further impetus to the historic bilateral ties. She will be in Fiji from August 5-7 at the invitation of its President Katonivere. This is the first visit by an Indian head of state to the archipelago nation. President Murmu was received by Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka, the Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, PS Karthikeyan, and other Fijian officials at the airport. "President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu arriving into Nadi for her two-day State Visit of Fiji. Her Excellency was received and welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Turaga na Tui Nadi Ratu Vuniyani Navuniuci and Fiji's High Commissioner to India, Mr Jagnnath Sami," said a post on the Fijian government's official Facebook page. During her visit, she

Prez calls Guvs Centre-state links; VP urges them to seek info from states

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said the governors are the link between the Centre and states in the federal system while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the governors should not hesitate in seeking information from the state governments. In her closing remarks at the two-day conference of the governors, Murmu said smooth functioning of all institutions is very important for public welfare and overall development. According to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said the discussions took place in the conference with the aim of creating better coordination among various institutions. "The governors are the link between the Centre and the states in the federal system of India," the statement said. President Murmu expressed confidence that cooperative federalism and mutual coordination of the central institutions will be promoted as per the suggestions given by the groups of governors. She said the governors are responsible for setting an ideal example for the

President Murmu to embark on 6-day visit to Fiji, New Zealand, Timor-Leste

President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a six-day visit of Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste beginning August 5, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday. Murmu's first destination will be Fiji where she will hold meetings with President Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. "This will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji," the MEA said on Murmu's August 5 to 6 trip to the island nation. It said she is scheduled to address the Fijian Parliament and interact with the Indian diaspora in the country. "The visit reflects India's continued commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Fiji," the MEA said. "On the second leg of her visit, President Murmu will visit New Zealand on August 7 to 9 at the invitation of Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand," it said. During the State visit, she will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. President Murmu will

Bengal in anarchic condition, restore law, order: Adhir writes to President

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging that West Bengal is in an "anarchic condition" and sought her intervention to "restore law and order" in the state. Chowdhury, the president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, referred to poll-related violence and alleged attacks on party workers during this year's general elections. "I wish to seek your kind intervention in restoring civility and law and order in public life in West Bengal. For me, at a personal level, it is not only disturbing but also deeply anguishing to see the anarchic condition in the state owing to the ruthless approach of the ruling party on the workers, sympathisers, and supporters of the opposition," Chowdhury wrote in the two-page letter. As a result, many innocent persons have lost their lives, and have been jailed or taken into custody, he alleged. "There are also several cases of people not affiliated to the ruling party and inclined favourably

Selected gifts presented to President, ex-presidents to be auctioned

The Rashtrapati Bhavan through a web portal will auction selected gifts presented to the President and former presidents on different occasions, an official statement issued on Friday said. In the first phase, around 250 exquisite gifts will be auctioned, it said. "The aim of this initiative is not only to increase citizen engagement but also to support noble cause. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to help children in need," the statement issued by the President's office said. The bidding will be open from August 5 to August 26. After the conclusion of the bidding period, the items will be delivered to the highest bidders. "Rashtrapati Bhavan will auction selected gift items, presented to the President and former Presidents on various occasions, through an online portal called E-Upahaar," it said. The portal was launched by the President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, on the completion of two years of her presidency. Interested persons can place their bids on ...

Budget 2024: Prez Murmu offers customary 'dahi-cheeni' to Sitharaman. Pics

Union Budget 2024: FM Sitharaman and her team met with President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi before heading for the Parliament to present the Budget

President Murmu plays badminton with Saina Nehwal at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Earlier on Wednesday, President Murmu unveiled the prestigious Durand Cup, the President's Cup and the Shimla Trophy at Rasthrapati Bhavan

Prez Murmu spends time at beach in Puri during her four-day Odisha visit

President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a four-day visit to Odisha, spent some time at a sea beach in Puri on Monday morning. She witnessed the annual Rath Yatra in the coastal pilgrim town on Sunday. Later, she penned her thoughts about her experience of being in close commune with nature. "There are places that bring us in closer touch with the essence of life and remind us that we are part of nature. Mountains, forests, rivers and seashores appeal to something deep within us. As I walked along the seashore today, I felt a communion with the surroundings the gentle wind, the roar of the waves, and the immense expanse of water. It was a meditative experience," Murmu posted on X. She said it brought her a profound inner peace that she had also felt when she had a darshan of Lord Jagannath on Sunday. Stating that she was not alone in having such an experience, Murmu said, "All of us can feel that way when we encounter something that is far larger than us, that sustains us and that mak

Prez Murmu urges people to take smaller, local steps to protect environment

Highlighting the recent spate of terrible heatwaves in India and frequent extreme weather events around the globe, President Droupadi Murmu asked people on Monday to take smaller and local steps to protect the environment for a better tomorrow. In a note on the social media platform 'X' after visiting the seashore in this temple town, Murmu said oceans and the rich variety of flora and fauna have suffered heavily due to pollution but people living in nature's lap have sustained traditions "that can show us the way". "Inhabitants of coastal areas, for example, know the language of the winds and waves of the sea. Following our ancestors, they worship the sea as God," she said, while suggesting ways to protect and conserve the environment. The President arrived in Odisha on a four-day tour on July 6. "There are places that bring us in closer touch with the essence of life and remind us that we are part of nature. Mountains, forests, rivers and seashores appeal to something deep within

India's gift to humanity, Yoga is the way to well-being: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said yoga is India's unique gift to humanity, and it has become far more important because of rising lifestyle-related problems. She, along with other officials of the President's Secretariat, also performed yoga at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. "Greetings to the entire global community, especially the fellow citizens of India on International Yoga Day! Yoga is India's unique gift to humanity. In view of rising lifestyle related problems, Yoga has become far more important today. "Yoga is a way to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Let us resolve to adopt yoga as an integral part of our day-to-day living," the president said in a post on X and shared pictures of her doing yoga. The International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21.