President Ram Nath Kovind's Address to Nation on Eve of Independence Day 2019: 'Confident That Recent Changes For Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh Will Greatly Benefit Residents There'

New Delhi, August 14: President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the nation on the eve of Independence Day 2019 on Wednesday. The President, speaking ahead of the 73rd Independence Day, began his speech by greeting the nation and said, "My heartiest congratulations to all of you on the eve of the Independence Day! This Independence Day is a very happy day for all the children of Mother India, whether at home or abroad." Speaking on Article 370 abrogation and Jammu and Kashmir bifurcation, the President said that, "I am confident that the recent changes for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will greatly benefit the residents there." Article 370 Abrogated From Jammu and Kashmir: Home Minister Amit Shah Proposes Scrapping of the Article, What Does the Article State?

The state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two separate Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through a couple of bills passed in the Parliament and Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated by Government of India. Independence Day 2019: Say NO to Plastic Tricolour Flags While Celebrating the Indian National Festival

President Kovind remembered first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji as the year 2019 marks the 550th birth anniversary of the great saint. "This year of 2019 is also the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji. He is one of the greatest saints of India. I extend my heartiest wishes to all followers of Guru Nanak Devji for this auspicious year," said President Kovind. The President also remebered "Father of the Nation" as October 2 will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Independence Day 2019: From Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, Five Remarkable August 15 Speeches by Prime Ministers of India Over The Years (Watch Videos).

Watch President Kovind's Speech in the Video Below

"In the summer of this year, all of you countrymen have completed the world's largest democratic process by participating in the 17th General Election. For this achievement, all voters are eligible to congratulate," said President Kovind on the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2019. President Kovind also paid tributes to the freedom fighters and said, "For the great generation of people who gave us freedom, freedom was not limited to political powers alone. His aim was also to improve the system of life and society of every person."

The President also appreciated the working of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha in this session of the Parliament. "I am happy that in the recently concluded session of Parliament, the meetings of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been very successful," said President Kovind.

On Chandrayaan 2, the President said, "We are a people who dare to explore the moon and Mars. We are also a people who persevere to create a loving habitat for three of every four wild tigers on our planet, because it is characteristic of Indianness to empathise with nature and with all living beings." Remembering poet Subramania Bharati, the President said about the great poet that, "Over a hundred years ago, the inspirational poet Subramania Bharati gave voice to our freedom movement and its expansive goals."

President Kovind ended his speech with great hope for the future of India and said, "May those ideals and may that urge to learn and to listen and to become better, may that curiosity and may that fraternalism, always be with us. May it always bless us, and always bless India. Jai Hind!"

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2019 07:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).