Hon'ble Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Rami Hamdallah,

Hon'ble Minister of Education, His Excellency Mr. Sabri Saidam,

Hon'ble President of the Al-Quds University Mr. Imad Abu Kishek,

Members of the Faculty and the academic community,

Distinguished guests,

Distinguished Members of the Indian Community,

Your Excellency Mr. Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel,

Mrs. Rivlin,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I am very happy to be here today. This is a historic first State Visit to Israel by an Indian President. I thank President Reuven Rivlin and the Government and people of Israel for the warm reception and gracious hospitality extended to me and to my delegation.

2.Soon after my arrival I visited Yad Varshem and offered prayers in memory of all the men, women and children commemorated here.

<p>Shalom &amp; Namaste.</p><p>H’ble Mr. Yuli Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset,</p><p>Members of the Knesset,</p><p>Excellencies,</p><p class="title1">Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,</p><p>1.I feel deeply honoured to be the first Indian President to make a State Visit to Israel. Since I arrived here yesterday, I have been touched by the warmth of the reception and the gracious hospitality that has been accorded to me and to my delegation.

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. Michael Federmann

President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Menahem Ben Sasson

Rector of the Hebrew University, Prof. Asher Cohen

H’ble Members of the Senate of Hebrew University of Jerusalem,

Members of the Faculty and

Distinguished members of the academic community of this ancient University,

1.It is a great privilege for me to receive the first copy of the book titled "Indian Family Business Mantras” which has been co-authored by Mr. Peter Leach and Mr. Tatwamasi Dixit. I appreciate their sincere attempt to educate and empower the community at large on how Indian family businesses function.

1. It is a singular honour for me to welcome all of you, Heads of State and Government of Africa, here today, at the heart of the Indian Republic. I welcome you not only as leaders of proud nations but as friends and brothers. India welcomes you not only with open arms but with an open heart.

1.It is indeed a privilege for me to be present amidst you this afternoon when you are celebrating the fiftieth year of the Delhi High Court. A moment such as this is truly historic for any institution. My compliments to all of you on this occasion!

Good Evening!

1.To begin with, let me extend a warm welcome to you all. Today is an important day for higher education in our country. For the first time in Rashtrapati Bhavan, brilliant minds, captains of industry and academic leaders of 114 central institutions have come together on a common platform to deliberate on issues concerning the higher education sector.