It gives me great pleasure to be in Puducherry an important centre of national political awakening and of our intellectual and philosophical thought.

My dear Governors and Lt. Governors:

1.Let me begin by extending warm greetings and best wishes to you for a year full of peace, prosperity and happiness.

It is indeed a pleasant occasion for me to be present at the Prabasi Odia Conclave, 2017 organized by the Odisha Forum and the Government of Odisha. It is a commendable initiative, admirable in its scope and professed objectives.

1. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be present amongst you on the occasion of the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan. On this historic day 102 years ago, the greatest Pravasi Bhartiya of all times Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.

Vice chancellors of central universities;

Directors of IITs, NITs, IISERs and other institutions of learning;

Heads of various civil service academies;

Faculty members;

Officer trainees of civil services;

My dear students:

Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta,

Honourable Ministers from Kenya,

Distinguished Guests,

Namaskar!

Habari Ya Jioni!

Mr. President,

We are delighted to welcome you today.

Your Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome Your Highness and the esteemed members of your distinguished delegation to India.

Fellow citizens:

Honourable Members,

1. In this Basant season of renewal and resurgence, I welcome you all to this Joint Session of both Houses of Parliament. This is a historic session heralding the advancement of the Budget cycle and merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget for the first time in independent India. We gather once again to celebrate democracy, a cherished value and culture that has prospered throughout the long history of our nation. Indeed, a culture that guides my government towards Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

1.I am happy to bein Kochi today atthe latest edition of the Kochi-MuzirisBiennale.

2.TheBiennale,which is today known as the People’s Biennale,has become an integral part of the cultural calendar of our country. It has rejuvenated Kerala’s longstandingcontribution to visual artsand culture, and cemented Kochi’s status as acosmopolitan city brimming with potential and ideas.