Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 28: With the Budget Session of Parliament getting underway on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the President’s Address as forward-looking and deeply meaningful, stating that it clearly articulated the vision of a Viksit Bharat and echoed the country’s collective goal of building a strong, self-reliant India.
Sharing his thoughts on social media platform X, the Prime Minister underscored the constitutional and symbolic importance of the President’s Address at the start of the Budget Session. He noted that the address traditionally outlines the government’s policy direction and reflects the shared resolve that guides the nation’s developmental priorities in the months ahead.
According to PM Modi, the address not only captured India’s rapid progress in recent years but also laid out a clear and confident roadmap for the future. He said the focus on inclusive growth, innovation, reforms, and good governance stood out, along with sustained efforts aimed at farmers, youth, the poor, and marginalised sections of society. The Prime Minister added that the address reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating reforms and strengthening India’s growth momentum.
The Budget Session formally commenced with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the national capital. Her address marked the beginning of a crucial phase in the parliamentary calendar, leading up to the presentation of the Economic Survey on January 29 and the Union Budget on February 1 by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Opening her speech on a reflective and optimistic note, President Murmu expressed her pleasure at addressing Parliament and described the past year as a memorable chapter in India’s journey of rapid development and rich cultural expression. She identified 2026 as a foundational year in the country’s long-term ambition of becoming a developed nation, calling it a turning point in India’s growth trajectory.
The President observed that the conclusion of the first 25 years of the new millennium had been marked by significant achievements, moments of national pride, and transformative experiences. Over the past decade, she said, India has strengthened its foundations across key sectors, creating a solid base for sustained progress in the years ahead.
Highlighting the importance of history and collective memory, President Murmu referred to several national commemorations that continue to inspire the present generation. She spoke of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, celebrations marking 150 years of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and tributes to Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika. These occasions, she said, reinforce values of unity, sacrifice, justice, and cultural pride.
The President emphasised that honouring the contributions of great leaders and visionaries energises the youth and strengthens the nation’s resolve to move toward a developed and inclusive India. Her address set a hopeful and unifying tone for the session, blending respect for the past with confidence in the future.
Ahead of the session, an all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh was held on Tuesday to ensure smooth parliamentary functioning. Leaders across party lines shared their key concerns and assured cooperation. The Congress, meanwhile, indicated that it would raise people-centric issues during the session, including alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, paddy procurement, and the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.