So many Ram Nath Kovinds in the country today, says emotional president-elect

Describing his election as the "greatness of democracy", President-elect Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday could not help but remember his own days spent in a mud house in rains.

Recalling his childhood days, Kovind said: "It has been raining since morning in Delhi. This weather reminds me of my childhood days when I used to live in my ancestral village."

"We lived in a 'kachcha' house made of mud. The roof couldn't stop the water trickles during the rainy season. I, along with my brothers and sisters, used to stand in a corner and wait for the rain to stop."

"There could be many such Ram Nath Kovinds who are getting drenched in the rain. Many are working hard to earn their livelihood in this rain. I represent all those hard working people. This is also a message to those who earn their livelihood with hard work and honesty," he said.

Kovind said, "I neither thought I would be elected to this post nor was this my aim. But my everlasting spirit to serve the society and my country has brought me here."

As soon as his election as President was announced, Kovind said, "This is a very emotional moment...This is a very big responsibility for me...My election to the post of President reflects the greatness of Indian democracy.  It is my duty to protect the Constitution and uphold its values as the President. I pay my respects to my countrymen and assure them that I'll serve the nation in the spirit of "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" (May all be happy)."

He also thanked joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar and wished well for her future. For her part, India's first woman Lok Sabha Speaker sent her best wishes to Kovind. "My best wishes with Kovindji as it has fallen upon him to uphold Constitution in letter and spirit in these challenging times," she said.

“I want to make it very clear that today on July 20, 2017, my battle for ideology doesn’t end. It will continue because the ideology, the value system, the principles that I am fighting for are held sacred by most of the people of my country who find strength in it,” she said.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said the values for which she is battling are “social justice, inclusiveness, secularism, transparency, freedom of expression, freedom of the press and total destruction of the caste system...I will continue to fight for these values with all the strength at my command.”

She said, “I want to thank all those honorable members of the collegium who voted for me. I want to thank (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi and all the leaders of those opposition political parties who unanimously made me the candidate in this election. I want to thank my countrymen and women who have extended good wishes to me and have supported me,” she added.

Kovind got 65.65% of the total valid vote value of 10,69,358, while Meira Kumar got 34.35%.