PRESIDENT Ram Nath Kovind turned 76 on Friday. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him good health and many more years in the service of the nation on his birthday.

Kovind was born on October 1, 1945, at Paraunkh village in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

He was sworn in as the 14th President of India on July 25, 2017. “My Heartiest greetings to Hon’ble President of India, Ram Nath Kovind Ji on his birthday today. He is known for his simplicity, high ethics and remarkable vision. May he be blessed with good health, happiness and many more years in the service of the nation,” Naidu tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi also wished the President on his birthday saying his focus on empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society is exemplary. “Birthday greetings to Rashtrapati Ji. Due to his humble personality, he has endeared himself to the entire nation. His focus on empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society is exemplary. May he lead a long and healthy life,” Modi tweeted.

President asks people to strive to make India a country of Gandhiji’s dreams: PRESIDENT Ram Nath Kovind greeted citizens on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti and asked people to take pledge to strive for making India a country of his dreams. In his message on the occasion of the 152nd birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said Gandhi jayanti is a special day for all Indians.

“This is an occasion for us to remember Gandhiji’s struggles and sacrifice. This occasion inspires us to resolve to work for the prosperity and development of our fellow citizens and country,” Kovind said.

He said, “Let us take a pledge that we will continue to strive for making India, a country of his dreams while adhering to his teachings, ideals and values.”

Gandhiji is especially known around the world for his non-violent movement and his birth anniversary is celebrated as non-violence day,

Kovind said. “Gandhiji believed that non-violence is a philosophy, a principle and an experience which can be made the basis for betterment of society,” he said.