It gives me great pleasure to be amidst you this evening to deliver the opening address for the 2016 Global Conference on National Initiative towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement in India. We are gathered here today to set the stage for a global conference that is aimed at providing an international platform to deliberate upon the future of arbitration in India.

1.I am very happy to be present amidst you this evening at the conclusion of the ten-day cultural festival, "Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav” organized by the Ministry of Culture and its constituent centres and akademies. This festival has a very noble objective, and that is to celebrate the spirit of tradition, culture, heritage and diversity of our great nation. I compliment Dr.

Your Excellency President Bidhya Devi Bhandari,

Hon'ble Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda',

Hon'ble Ministers of the Government of Nepal,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Rt. Hon'ble Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Prime Minister of Nepal

CEO, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office

Distinguished citizens of Kathmandu,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here, once again, in this historic and holy city of Kathmandu. Since my arrival, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and affection of the people of this city. I convey my sincere thanks to Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister of Nepal for according me the honour of this civic reception.

1.Thank you for your warm words.

2.I am very happy to be here in Nepal again.

3.Over the years, serving in Government in various capacities, I have visited Nepal on several occasions; I have directly participated in the discussions, decisions, planning and implementation of the joint development work that our Governments have taken up across the length and breadth of this close neighbour of India. I share your satisfaction at what has been achieved, progress has been made in the right direction, but much more has to be done to realise the true potential of Nepal.

Your Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Bimalendra Nidhi,

Revered Mahant of Janaki temple, Shri Ram Tapeshwar Das Ji,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.I am overwhelmed by the warm reception and hospitality that has been extended to me by the people of this ancient city of Janakpur. I am delighted to be here in Janakpur, the city of Goddess Sita, who is revered both in India and Nepal alike.

Brave ex- servicemen of Indian Army and their dependents,

I am indeed happy and proud to be present amidst you.

2. Being the President of India, it is a matter of happiness and satisfaction for me to have got this opportunity to interact with you in this beautiful city of Pokhara.

3. On behalf of the people of India, I express my deep sympathies to Nepal and its people on the unfortunate loss of lives and damage to property on account of the destructive earthquake that struck Nepal last year.

1.I am indeed very happy to join you for the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards function and present the awards to this group of creative young children of our society. My congratulations to all the awardees and their families and teachers! It is heartening to see so many creative minds trying to tackle the challenges faced by our society at such a young age.

It is indeed a pleasant occasion to me to be present amidst you on the inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of ECGC. As the then Commerce Minister, I have had the privilege and opportunity earlier of closely observing the functioning of ECGC which is completing 60 years.

1. At the outset, I compliment the air-warriors for their impeccable turnout and outstanding precision of drill movements. I am extremely pleased to be present here today, at Air Force Station, Ambala to award Standards to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron. These distinguished Units have glorious past and rich traditions of professional excellence. Since their inception, both units have distinguished themselves in the service of the Nation with honour and distinction.