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President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said there is an urgent need to actively support the Centre's ambitious Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by encouraging indigenous production, strengthening local supply chains and promoting domestic industry. Addressing a group of Indian Defence Accounts Service officers, who had called on the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, she urged them to learn the new skills and use tools such as artificial intelligence-driven financial analytics to support evidence-based decisions and analytics for efficient fund utilisation. "As young officers, many of you will be dealing with high-value and strategically significant proposals early in your careers. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. You are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity," the president said. Fairness, transparency, and accountability must guide every decision you make, she said. "You should remember that trust is the foundation of public service and it should be
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, the Rural Development Ministry said. The VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament, amid opposition protests. It seeks to replace the existing rural employment law, MGNREGA, and guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year. According to the government, the new scheme aims to establish a rural development framework aligned with the national vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said behavioural change in every citizen is crucial to bringing energy efficiency to all sectors in the country. Addressing National Energy Conservation Day Function here, she said the consciousness of adopting a balanced lifestyle in harmony with nature is fundamental to India's cultural tradition -- this very sentiment forms the basis of our message to the world, "Lifestyle for Environment -- LiFE". "Participation of every sector and citizen is essential for the success of India's energy transition. Behavioural change is crucial for bringing energy efficiency to all sectors," she said. The President said energy conservation is the most environmentally friendly and reliable source of energy. Energy conservation is not just an option, but the most crucial need of today, she said. She underlined that saving energy doesn't simply mean using less, but utilising energy wisely, responsibly, and efficiently. "When we avoid unnecessary use of electrica
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called on all the communities of Manipur to continue the efforts for peace, understanding, and reconciliation and said that the Union government is committed to the well-being and progress of the people of the state. Speaking at a reception programme in Senapati district, Murmu expressed her happiness to be in the district which has a proud tribal heritage. She said, "Today the nation commemorates the Nupi Lal Memorial Day, which is the prime example of female voice in bringing about positive social change. Manipur has rich cultural diversity with a large number of tribal communities. This diversity is evident in Senapati districts. I attended a reception at Taphou Naga village, where I was accorded a warm welcome by representatives of tribals of the district, and met with displaced persons." She also said the Maram tribe, which is found in Senapati and Kangpokpi districts, is recognised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal group and is the only PVTG
Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya on Monday submitted to President Droupadi Murmu the panel's report, which will provide the formula for devolution of taxes between the Centre and states. The commission, which was mandated to submit its report by October 31, was given an extension of one month till November 30. "Members of the 16th Finance Commission, led by its Chairman, Dr Arvind Panagariya, called on President Droupadi Murmu and submitted the Commission's report for 2026-31," Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X. As per the terms of reference, the 16th Finance Commission is mandated to determine the formula for states' share of central taxes and the grants-in-aid for five years beginning 2026-27. The commission has visited all states and Union Territories as a precursor to firming up its views on states' share in grants in aid and taxes. The commission has four members-- Retired bureaucrat Annie George Mathew and economist Manoj Panda are full-time ..
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday led the Indian community Botswana to pay condolences to the victims of the recent blast in Delhi. A high-intensity blast outside the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday claimed at least 13 lives. President Murmu, during her interaction with the members of the Indian diaspora on the last day of her three-day State Visit, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished for a quick recovery of the injured. After the National Anthem and an introductory welcome by Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Bharath Kumar Kuthati, Murmu asked the members of the Indian community in the hall to pay respect to the departed souls. The gathering stood up and remained silent for a minute. The Indian community in Botswana is about 10,000 strong and engaged in sectors such as education, health, diamond processing and some other trades. The Indian community's achievements are a source of pride for India and their success enhance
India and Botswana on Wednesday formally declared the plan to translocate eight Cheetahs from the African nation during the state visit of President Droupadi Murmu. The President, while thanking her counterpart President Duma Gideon Boko and the people of one of the world's largest diamond producer countries for the gesture, assured that we will take good care of them (Cheetahs). Boko said his country will symbolically hand over the big cats to her excellency (Mumru) on Thursday. The two heads of state will preside over an event where eight captured Cheetahs will be released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking the symbolic handing over of the hunting cats to India by Botswana as part of Project Cheetah and under a mutual initiative for wildlife conservation. The Cheetahs have been brought to the nature reserve, 10 kms south of Gaborone, from the Ghanzi town located in the Kalahari desert. Botswana is a landlocked nation whose 70 per cent landmass is
Underlining that global conflicts and uncertainties particularly affect the 'Global South' adversely, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said India and Angola have extensive opportunities to "deepen economic ties" in sectors like digital technology, defence, agriculture and food processing. Addressing members of the Angolan Parliament on the third day of her state visit to the African country, Murmu said that as the world passes through a period of conflicts and uncertainties, countries of the Global South are particularly adversely affected. She reiterated India's steadfast commitment to fostering peace and development in Africa, and urged the Angolan parliamentarians to join hands as partners to realise the full potential of the India-Angola partnership. The President said trade and economic co-operation are an "important pillar" of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Collaboration in the energy sector continues to strengthen economic ties, she said. "There are vast ..
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted citizens on Chhath Puja and said the festival gives the message of unity, cooperation and collective participation in the society. During Chhath Puja, devotees worship and offer 'arghya' to the Sun, she said in a message. "On this festival, we express our gratitude to nature. We worship the rivers and ponds, and pray for the well-being of our families. This festival also conveys a message of cleanliness and environment conservation," the President said. Chhath Puja also gives the message of unity, cooperation and collective participation in the society, Murmu said. "On this sacred occasion, I pray for happiness and prosperity of all citizens," she said, and extended wishes to all her fellow citizens. Chhath Puja, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, is being celebrated and it will conclude on October 28.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted fellow citizens on the eve of Diwali and urged everyone to celebrate the festival safely, responsibly and in an environment-friendly manner. Murmu said this festival is also an opportunity to help and support the deprived and the needy, and to bring joy into their lives. Diwali, one of India's most popular festivals, is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, she said in a message. "The festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Celebrated across the country with immense fervour, the auspicious occasion of Diwali gives the message of mutual affection and brotherhood. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity," Murmu said. This festival of joy is also an occasion for self-reflection and self-improvement, the President said. "I urge everyone to celebrate Diwali safely, responsibly and in an environment-friendly manner. May this Diwali bring
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday greeted citizens on the eve of Vijayadashami and wished that the festival inspires us to build a society where all people move ahead together, inspired by the ideas of justice, equality and harmony. The festival of Vijayadashami, symbolising the victory of "dharma over adharma", inspires us to follow the path of truth and justice, she said in a message. Celebrated in various parts of the country as "Ravana Dahan" and Durga Puja, this festival reflects our national values, Murmu said. This festival also teaches us to renounce negative tendencies like anger and ego, and embrace positive ones like courage and determination, the president said. "May this festival inspire us to build a society and country where all people move ahead together, inspired by the ideas of justice, equality and harmony," she said. The president extended warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, to be celebrated on
Calling itself the custodian of the Constitution, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked if it could sit idle if a constitutional functionary like Governor failed to discharge duties as it reserved the verdict on the presidential reference on grant of assent to bills. In the marathon hearings spanning 10 days, a Constitution bench of headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai heard legal luminaries including Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Gopal Subramanium, Arvind Datar and others on the presidential reference which centered around Article 200 and 201 and the key issue whether constitutional court can impose timelines for governors and President to assent to bills. On the last day, the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar, interjected Mehta when he referred to the separation of powers as one of the basic structures of the Constitution and said the court shoul
The Congress-ruled Telangana government on Wednesday said ordinarily the governor is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers even while dealing with grant of prosecution sanction except for the instance where a minister or the chief minister is involved in a criminal case. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai was told by senior advocate Niranjan Reddy, appearing for the Telangana government, that the apex court while answering the Presidential reference will also have to look into the inherent bias on part of the governor by sitting over the bill. Referring to the instance of Tamil Nadu, where the governor sat over the bill, passed by the assembly for removing the governor from being chancellor of state-run universities, Reddy on the ninth day of hearing on the Presidential reference said the court will have to look into it. The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar, was told by th
President Droupadi Murmu will be on a three-day visit to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from Monday, her office said. On September 1, the President will grace the diamond jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in Mysuru, Karnataka, it said. Murmu will grace the 120th foundation day celebrations of City Union Bank in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on September 2, the President's office said. "On September 3, the President will grace the 10th convocation ceremony of the Central University of Tamil Nadu at Thiruvarur," it added.