NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday reacted to President Droupadi Murmu‘s address ahead of the Budget session, saying that the President appeared to become “tired” towards the end of her speech and “could hardly speak.”
“The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing,” Sonia, who attended the joint sitting of both the Houses said.
During her address President Murmu, said that India was on track to becoming the world’s third-largest economy. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, saying, “My government’s mantra is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.”
She arrived at Parliament in a traditional horse-drawn buggy before beginning her speech with a tribute to India’s Constitution makers. “Two months ago, we celebrated 75 years of adopting our Constitution, and a few days ago, we completed our journey of 75 years. On behalf of all Indians, I bow down to Babasaheb Ambedkar and all others in the Constitution Committee,” Murmu said.
The President also paid homage to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last year, acknowledging his decade-long tenure as the nation’s leader and his longstanding parliamentary career.
She addressed the recent stampede at the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, where 30 people lost their lives, offering condolences to the victims’ families. “Mahakumbh is a festival of India’s cultural identity and social enlightenment. Crores of devotees have already taken the holy dip. I express grief over the incident that occurred on Mouni Amavasya and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” she said.
Murmu outlined several government initiatives, including housing and healthcare schemes. She announced the construction of three crore additional houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to provide health insurance for six crore senior citizens above the age of 70. “Every year, they will receive a health cover of five lakh rupees,” she said.
The President also talked about the government’s push for women-led development, citing key schemes such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission, which has empowered over 10 crore women through self-help groups. She highlighted the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, ensuring women’s reservation in legislatures, and the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, aimed at creating financially independent women. “Today, over 1.15 crore Lakhpati Didis are leading dignified lives, with about 50 lakh joining this category in just the past six months,” Murmu said.