LIVE: President outlines Modi Sarkar's priorities in Parliament, says greatest challenge is to fight poverty

“A fast-track, investment friendly and predictable PPP (public private partnership) mechanism will be put up in place,” Mukherjee said, adding that a Diamond Quadrilateral project of high-speed trains will be launched and a network of freight corridors with specialised ‘agri-rail networks' for perishable agricultural projects created.

Extending warm greetings to the newly-elected MPs, the President told them that they should never forget that they are in Parliament because of them. “Serving them should be our first priority.”

Noting that the general elections were smooth and largely peaceful, he congratulated the Election Commission and the official machinery for successful conduct of the exercise.

“The unprecedented interest shown by the people of India in the elections is a sign of progressive deepening of our vibrant democracy.”

The President said the country needed a strong and stable government that could provide effective leadership.

“In my Republic Day speech earlier this year, I had hoped for 20-14 to be a year of healing after the fractured and contentious politics of the previous years.

“Standing here today, I applaud the wisdom of my fellow citizens for having voted for stability, honesty and development in a resurgent India in which corruption will have no place.”