Modi's pet projects get President Kovind's pat in joint Parliament sitting

From lauding Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to making a case for passing the Triple Talaq Bill, and highlighting the dream of a 'New India', highlights of President Kovind's speech

In his address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session, President Ram Nath Kovind hoped Parliament would soon pass the ‘triple talaq’ Bill, and also called for more public debate on holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and assemblies.

The President appealed to all to contribute to achieving the objective of constructing a ‘New India’ by 2022, the 75th year of India’s independence. In a reference to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayasevak Sangh (RSS), the President said