Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in Response to Welcome Speech by President of Cote D’ivoire
1.It is indeed a singular honour for me to be the first Head of State of India to pay a visit to your beautiful country. I am deeply touched by the warm welcome accorded to me - and to my delegation - and the unstinting hospitality extended to us since our arrival.

1. I am delighted to be here in Abidjan, Pearl of West Africa, on the very first State Visit by a President of India to this beautiful country.
1.I am delighted to visit Namibia, a nation blessed by Nature, endowed with abundant resources, caressed by the ocean, and inhabited by the brave. I feel truly honoured to have this opportunity to address this august House of the leaders and representatives of the people of Namibia.
It is indeed a privilege for me to participate in this inauguration of the "Vivekananda Sabhagar” at Kathak Kendra. I take this opportunity to congratulate Shri Mahesh Sharma, Minister for Culture, Shri N.K. Sinha, Secretary (Culture) and Shri Shekhar Sen, the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Vice chancellors of central universities, Directors of IITs, NITs, IISc/ IISERs, SPAs, IIITs, NIPERs;
Fellow citizens:
সমবেত সুধীজন,
1.I am indeed very happy to have this opportunity to inaugurate this new office building that will house the Bharat Chamber of Commerce. I congratulate you on having your own office building. The Bharat Chamber of Commerce is one of India’s oldest chambers with a history going back to the year 1900 when it was formed as an Association of Merchants belonging to a particular community.