The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu attended the civic reception hosted in her honour by the Government of Puducherry. She inaugurated the Linear Accelerator at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) today (August 7, 2023). She also virtually inaugurated a 50-bed Hospital situated at Villianur.  

Addressing the gathering, the President said that in Puducherry, we see a blending of diverse cultural streams. She said that the Tamil, Telugu, and Malayali influences are visible along with the impact of the French. She added that the architecture, the festivals and lifestyles reflect the diverse influences blending together in harmony.

The President said that the Union Territory of Puducherry has made a distinct mark at national and global levels. She was happy to note that in a study conducted by a reputed international agency, Puducherry ranks first in the Social Progress Index Score 2022 among all States and Union Territories. She added that it has performed very well on parameters of Personal Freedom and Choice, Shelter, Water and Sanitation. She also noted that Puducherry has one of highest literacy rates in the country and the sex ratio has been favourable to women. She said that these facts demonstrate that the people of Puducherry believe in gender equality. She appreciated the residents of Puducherry for their modern and sensitive approach to development and progress.

The President said that Puducherry is a wonderful destination for spiritual tourism which is fast becoming a global trend and has the potential to provide a strong boost to socio-economic development of this region. She added that with the growth in tourism, activities related to health tourism and eco-tourism would also get a boost.