21st century belongs to India: Ram Nath Kovind

In his farewell speech, Kovind said, "I firmly believe that our country is getting equipped to make the 21st century, the century of India."

Speaking on the National Education Policy, he said, "Once the basic necessities are taken care of, the next requirement is to let each citizen pursue happiness by discovering their potential and letting them do what they alone are destined to do. Here, education is the key. I believe the National Education Policy will go a long way in making it possible for young Indians to connect with their heritage and also find their feet in the twenty-first century. To let them flourish tomorrow, healthcare is essential. The pandemic has underlined the need to further improve the public healthcare infrastructure. "

"Once education and healthcare are in place, economic reforms will let citizens find the best course for their lives," he said.

He said people should take care of the environment.

"Mother Nature is in deep agony and the climate crisis can endanger the very future of this planet. We must take care of our environment, our land, air and water, for the sake of our children. In our daily lives and routine choices, we must be more careful to protect our trees, rivers, seas and mountains as well as all other living beings. As the first citizen, if I have to give one advice to my fellow citizens, it has to be this," he said.

 Scripting history, India got its first woman tribal President with Droupadi Murmu, the NDA's choice, crossing the halfway mark after three rounds of vote counting. Opposition's candidate Yashwant Sinha conceaded defeat. She will take oath of office on July 25.

Droupadi Murmu bagged 51.2 per cent of total vote value after three rounds of counting. There is still one more round of counting to go.

She is the first President of India born post-independence and the youngest ever at the age of 64 years.