'People's President' Ram Nath Kovind completes one year in office

NEW DELHI: As Ram Nath Kovind completed his first year as President of India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday described him as a 'People's President' who meets nearly 34 people every day and set new benchmarks by visiting 27 of India's 29 states since he assumed office.

In a busy legislative year in office, Kovind gave his assent to 30 bills of the Centre and 59 of state governments, and promulgated 12 ordinances. The 72-year-old, who became the 14th President of India on July 25, 2017, was also congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu.


PM Modi tweeted, saying Kovind has endeared himself to people with his wisdom and humility. "Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind Ji on completing one year in office. He's endeared himself to every Indian with his wisdom and humility. Rashtrapati Ji is also passionate about empowering the youth, farmers & poor," Modi said.

The VP, in his greeting, said, "Convey my greetings to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji on the completion of an eventful year as the beloved President of India."

In a busy calendar year, the President hosted eight state visits by Presidents and monarchs from across the world and visited ten countries. He is also the first President to have visited Djibouti, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland, Suriname and Cuba. Kovind is also the first President to visit Ethipoia since 1972, Zambia since 1989, Greece since 2007 and Mauritius since 2013.

Claiming that Kovind's visit to 27 states in his first year of presidency is "a record for any President", the Rashtapati Bhavan also said the President undertook 53 domestic visits in 52 weeks, including an ongoing trip to Chhattisgarh.