‘Never dreamt a child from a village would occupy top post’: President Ram Nath Kovind

He said that while a number of Prime Ministers have been from Uttar Pradesh, he is the first from the state to become President. He added that the doors are now open for more sons and daughters of the soil to not only aspire to the highest constitutional post but also get there.

The President bowed and touched the soil after his chopper landed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel were waiting to extend greetings.

From there, the First Citizen, First Lady Savita Kovind and others visited the local Pathri Mata Mandir before paying tribute to B R Ambedkar at Dr Ambedkar Bhawan in the village. Before reaching the main event site, the President visited his house, which is now in the care of the local gram panchayat and has been turned into a ‘Milan Kendra’ (meeting place). He asked the local authorities to use the property for women-related events or meetings of self-help groups.

Recalling his days in the village, where he stayed till eighth standard before leaving for Kanpur and eventually Delhi, the President expressed happiness at how it had developed. He said the smell of its soil and the memories of its residents will always be in his heart. Kovind said for him, Paraunkh is not just a village but his motherland, which inspired him to rise to the heights that he did and serve the country.

Regarding the pandemic, he urged the residents to shed vaccine hesitancy and encourage others to get the jab.