Following are some salient points from President Pranab Mukherjee's speech to the joint session of parliament:
- Government burdened by economic slowdown, security concerns
- India will need to take difficult decisions to revive economic growth
- India's health infrastructure has improved
- Government has enacted a path-breaking legislation for protection of women and children
- Foodgrain output to be 250 million tonnes
- Judicial accountability bill to be moved in parliament
- First space mission to Mars to be launched this year
- Security situation better in Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India
- Pakistan, Bangladesh borders to get 509 posts
- Sri Lanka must make efforts to provide Tamil minorities a life of peace, dignity and equality
- Pakistan must desist from actions that create trust deficit
- Interests of overseas Indians will be protected
