Droupadi Murmu set to become first President to address Odisha Assembly
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Droupadi Murmu is set to script history on Thursday by becoming the first President to address the Odisha assembly during her two-day visit to the state, officials said.
Murmu is scheduled to address members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm, Speaker Surama Padhy said.
The President hails from Odisha, and is a former member of the assembly.
Murmu will arrive at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here at 2 pm and reach the Raj Bhavan at 2.20 pm to inaugurate the Kalinga Atithi Nivas, the officials said.
She was elected to the Odisha assembly from the Rairangpur seat in Mayurbhanj district twice – 2000 and 2004.
Padhy said Murmu will be the first President to visit and address the Odisha Assembly.
Murmu was also a minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government in Odisha.
The President will also visit room number 11, the chamber in the assembly from where she functioned as a minister.
She served as an MoS with independent charge for Commerce and Transportation from March 6, 2000 to August 6, 2002, and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development from August 6, 2002 to May 16, 2004.
The chamber has been renovated ahead of her visit, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said.
In 2007, Murmu had received the ‘Nilkanth Award’ for the Best MLA of the Odisha assembly.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, MPs from the state and eminent personalities are also scheduled to attend the proceedings when the President addresses the assembly.
Keeping in view the President's visit, the Odisha government has made elaborate security arrangements in Bhubaneswar, including in and around the assembly, the officials said.
The Winter Session of the assembly will begin on Friday and is scheduled to continue till December 31.
Murmu will leave for Uttar Pradesh on November 28.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
