I am very happy to be with all of you today on the occasion of the 54th National Film Awards function. This annual film award ceremony provides an opportunity to identify new talent as well as honor excellence achieved by film veterans in the field of cinema.
We meet here today, on the occasion of the International Literacy Day, to renew our commitment to ensure that no person is denied the basic right of Literacy. This day is also a reminder that the universal literacy target has not been achieved and, therefore, we must pledge that our efforts to achieve this target will be reinforced.
I would like to begin by congratulating Chancellor Dr. R.K. Pachauri for his recent re-election as the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, under whose earlier Chairmanship, the organization won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Hon'ble Vice-President, Hon'ble Prime Minister, Hon'ble Ministers, Hon'ble Governors and Lt. Governors and senior officials.
Dear Students and Faculty Members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to be in Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest states of India that has a rich cultural heritage and in Lucknow a city of grace, culture and integration. I deem it an honour to address the Special Convocation of the University of Lucknow, a well known academic institution of higher learning, and to receive the Honoris Causa Doctor of Letters from this University.
