Ram Nath Kovind calls for protecting ecology

Farewell address says the 21st century will belong to India

NEW DELHI: Outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind made a televised address to the nation on Sunday, his last day as the Constitutional head of the Indian republic, expressing the belief that the country is capable of making the 21st century its century, while also highlighting climate change as a serious concern for the future of the planet.

"We need to protect our environment, land, air and water for the sake of our children," he said.

Kovind said, "Five years ago, you put faith in me and elected me as the President. I express my gratitude to all the Indians and their public representatives."

He also recalled his visit to his ancestral village near Kanpur and seeking blessings from his teacher at his school. "A strong connection to the roots is a feature of India's culture. I urge the youth to continue this tradition of remaining connected with their roots," Kovind said.

The President also referred to the freedom struggle and paid homage to the freedom fighters. "During the 19th century, there were countless struggles for freedom. Several heroes who instilled the patriotic spirit in the Indians had been forgotten. Now, they are being remembered with the utmost respect," he said.

Kovind recalled his predecessors, including Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on this occasion. "During my five-year-long tenure, I have fulfilled my duties to the best of my abilities. I have been quite aware of being the successor of greats like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr S Radhakrishnan and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam."

"My predecessor, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, also shared his wise counsel with me," he said and added that whenever he did feel that he needed to think over a certain path of action, he remembered Mahatma Gandhi's talisman which enjoined that whenever in doubt throughout the action, one need only to ask whether this action would help the poorest person around.

Kovind made a strong appeal to countrymen to take care of the environment. "Mother nature is in deep agony and the climate crisis can endanger the very future of this planet. As the first citizen, if I have to give one piece of advice to my fellow citizens, it is this," he said.

Kovind's successor as President, Droupadi Murmu, will be sworn in on Monday. (Agencies)

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