THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When Chief Secretary K M Abraham rose to deliver the vote of thanks before President Ram Nath Kovind spoke at the civic reception accorded to him at Tagore Theatre, it took many in the auidence by suprise. The President, who spoke after the vote of thanks explained why he suggested a change in the programme schedule.
Kovind said after the President’s speech, the auidence hurriedly leaves the venue skipping the vote of thanks and the national anthem which follows. He said a decision to change the usual programme schedule was taken as people were not showing due respect to the national anthem. “Now, after my speech is over everybody rises for the national anthem. This is a change we have adopted based on the feedback received by Rashtrapati Bhavan from across the country,” the President said.