New delhi : President Droupadi Murmu has started addressing the Parliament in a joint session of both the Lower and Upper Houses. President Murmu was welcomed at the Parliament Building by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for her very first address after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha.

The President began her address by congratulating the newly elected speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla. She congratulated the Election Commission for successful conduct of Lok Sabha elections. She also congratulated all the elected parliamentarians of the newly constituted Lok Sabha.

Congratulating the NDA government for a third time in power, she said it is an indication of the people’s confidence in the governance. “This has happened after six decades. People have shown trust in my government for the third time. People of India are confident that only my government can fulfil their aspirations,” she said.

Responding to the voter turnout in Kashmir, she said that several records of voting were broken in Kashmir and it was a fitting reply to India’s enemies.

Speaking on the priorities of the newly formed government, the President said that the Union Budget will be a futuristic document and that reforms will be fast-tracked. She added that the government is working on storage initiative for agri-products and has increased MSP for farm produce.

“Resolve of Reform, Perform and Transform has made India fastest growing economy in the world,” she said.

Hinting at the violence in Manipur, but not mentioning the state’s name, the President faintly said that government is working for lasting peace in the North East. Several old problems have been addressed in last 10 years, she said. President Murmu further said steps are being taken to usher in development in North East and the government is planning to revoke the controversial AFSPA that gives special powers to army in the region.

The President arrived at the Parlaiment accompanied by a grand procession. She was given a guard of honour in the lawns of the Parliament building and was escorted to the Lok Sabha chamber by Dhankhar, Modi, Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

The vice president, the prime minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker welcomed the President at the Gaja Dwar of the Parliament building and proceeded to the Lok Sabha chamber in a procession led by the officer carrying the Sengol reverentially.