PANJIM: President of India Droupadi Murmu was accorded a civic reception hosted by the Goa government at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, on her maiden visit to the State after occupying the country’s highest post.
Addressing the gathering, the President thanked the people of Goa for the warm welcome. She was happy to note that Goa is performing well on the parameters of Sustainable Development Goals.
She stated that Goa is among the leading States of the country in many areas of development.
The President praised the people of the State for their generosity and hospitality. She said that this characteristic of the people of Goa is as important in attracting tourists as the beaches and the natural beauty of the Western Ghats.
The President said that rich forest cover is a priceless natural asset of Goa and it should be conserved. The dense forests of the Western Ghats are the natural habitat of many wild animals. Preservation of this natural heritage would give impetus to the sustainable development of Goa. She emphasised that tribal and other forest dwellers should be made partners in development, while preserving their traditions.
The President said that apart from being a tourist hot-spot, Goa is also an important centre for education, trade and commerce, industry, technology and naval defence.
The President said that the cosmopolitan culture of Goa has a tradition of gender equality. She was happy to note that the strength of girl students in higher educational institutions of Goa is more than 60 per cent. There is a need to increase the participation of women in the workforce of Goa, she stressed.
The President recalled the contributions of people of the State in various fields such as sports, arts, public service, spirituality and literature. She expressed confidence that Goa would move forward while making a balance between modernity and tradition.
Admiring the social and economic growth in State, Murmu commended the initiative ‘Swayampurna Goa’ by the State government at par with Atmanirbhar Bharat. Uniform Civil Code could be considered as the best practice in the cosmopolitan culture of the region, she remarked.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai in his address stated that, evil of untouchability doesn’t prevail in the State as all the people promote equality and brotherhood. There are various religious customs in the State wherein people perform traditional rituals together without any caste discrimination. He presented a set of books authored by him to the President.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the people of Goa are extremely honoured as the President made her maiden visit to the State. President Murmu has been an inspiration for the people by overcoming all difficulties of her life. Goa is emerging as a strong and sustainable State in the country with safeguarding its nature and cultural values. The State has always remained on the forefront in upholding brotherhood and social harmony among the society, he added.
The Chief Minister welcomed the President by presenting Kunbi shawl, saree and a traditional lamp.
On the occasion, the President distributed ‘Sanad’ under the Forest Rights Act to six beneficiaries. Cultural programmes were presented by the group of artistes in honour of the President.
Earlier, the President laid a wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial at Azad Maidan, Panjim to pay tributes to the martyrs of Goa liberation struggle.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik received the President on her arrival at the Dabolim airport. The President was accorded guard of honour on her first visit to the State.
