Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed former President Ram Nath Kovind's personal journey from a small village to the highest office in the country a "a parable for our country's evolution and development, and an inspiration for our society". He said this in a letter that he wrote to Mr. Kovind on the eve of his demitting the office of President of India on July 24. Mr. Modi also stated that he would continue to turn to Mr. Kovind for advice and counsel.
Mr. Kovind took to Twitter to thank Prime Minister Modi for his “kind words”. “This letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi has deeply touched me. I take his kind and heartfelt words as a reflection of the love and respect fellow citizens have showered on me. I am sincerely grateful to you all,” he tweeted, sharing the letter on the micro blogging site.
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"As your term draws to an end, I join the entire nation in saluting you and extending our deepest gratitude for your outstanding service as the President of our Republic and for a long and distinguished career in public life. You set the highest standards of principles, probity and performance, and of sensitivity and service," wrote Mr. Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers sweet to Ram Nath Kovind as he congratulates him on being elected as the 14th President of India, in New Delhi in July 2017. File photo
He also paid tribute to Mr. Kovind's personal journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "As we approach the 75th anniversary of Independence, your remarkable personal journey, from a small village deep in the heartland of our country to Rashtrapati Bhavan, has been a parable for our country's evolution and development, and an inspiration for our society. Through your life and career, you have persevered with determination and dignity, with a deep commitment to the morality and integrity that is at the core of the Indian ethos, and with the highest regard and responsibility towards the principles of our Constitution," said the Prime Minister in the letter.
He further said that Mr. Kovind upheld and reinforced the ideals of the Constitution and the vitality of democracy with sound judgment, great dignity and extraordinary statesmanship.
The Prime Minister also remembered their tour together to Paraunkh, Mr. Kovind’s native village, and said he was particularly touched to see how Mr. Kovind had donated his family residence to help others, especially to the poor and marginalised sections of society.
"Equally special was your gesture of visiting my mother and talking to her on several issues. It showed your deep-rooted commitment to the value-systems integral to our land. Your life and service reflect the dearly held belief that you recently shared with students - never fail to give back to society which has given you the opportunity to become a successful individual," he said.
