Ram Nath Kovind became the first Indian president to visit Benin, Gambia, Guinea and Slovenia. (File)
President Ram Nath Kovind completed three years in office on Saturday with the Rashtrapati Bhavan noting that he guided the country in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and met nearly 7,000 people, including soldiers and scientists, during the year.
"The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, completes three years in office today," it said in a tweet.
President Kovind, along with the First Lady and other members of the family, joined the fellow citizens and expressed their gratitude towards all those who are safeguarding the health of the nation in spite of grave risk to them and their families, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a series of infographics highlighting various initiatives and work done during the third year of his presidency.
President Kovind also donated one-month salary to PM-CARES fund and has decided to forego 30 per cent of his salary for a year, it said.
"The Rashtrapati Bhavan has rationalized its expenditure for optimal use of resources," the president's office said.
Mr Kovind hosted heads of from the United States of America, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Brazil, Sweden, Mongolia, Netherlands, Portugal and Myanmar between July 2019 and July 2020.
He received 15 global leaders from five continents and Ambassadors/High Commissioners of 28 countries presented credentials at six different ceremonies, it said in an infographic, titled "Diplomacy-Busy year".
"First time in the history of Rashtrapati Bhavan that credentials were also presented through video conference due to COVID-19 pandemic," it said.
Mr Kovind hosted 50th conference of Governors and Lieutenant Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"The president said that Governors have a very important role in our Constitutional system. He expressed confidence that they will play an important role in helping states achieve the national goals," another infographic said.
President Kovind along with the Vice President held two video-conferences with Governors and Lieutenant Governors of all states and Union Territories to bolster the efforts at the central and state levels to contain and manage COVID-19, it said.
As many as 6,991 people met the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and during his visits to different states.
"On an average, President Kovind has met 20 persons per day, from soldiers to scientists, farmers to fire fighters," the infographic said.
In a slide titled "Focus on Campus", the Rashtrapati Bhavan said that the president addressed nine convocations across India - IIT Roorkee, Pondicherry University, Sikkim University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Visva Bharti.
It said the president gave assent to 48 bills of the Union government and 22 bills of the state governments, issued 13 ordinances and appointed 11 governors, Chief Justice of India, Chief Information Commissioner and Central Vigilance Commissioner.
The president visited 19 states and four Union territories in the third year of his presidency, said the slide on "Taking Rashtrapati Bhavan to the states".
Mr Kovind made seven state visits in the third year of presidency and addressed the Indian community in all the countries.
He became the first Indian president to visit Benin, Gambia, Guinea and Slovenia.
Mr Kovind also made the first standalone visit of the president of India to West Africa.
Highlighting details of a more accessible Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said 1,22, 292 persons visited it since July 25, 2019.
The Mughal Gardens and public tours of Rashtrapati Bhavan is closed since March 7 and March 13 respectively as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
Mr Kovind paid tributes to martyrs at Chinar Corps (15 Corps) war memorial in Srinagar and attended the Army Day, Navy Day and Air Force Day reception, it said.
The president presented colours to Corps of Army Air Defence at Odisha's Gopalpur, to the Army Aviation Corps at Nashik, Maharashtra and to the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala.
He also visited the School of Artillery, Deolali and interacted with brave gunners, said the slide titled "Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces".
The president also honoured India's best by interacting with achievers who have done commendable work in various fields.
"Hailing from across the country, from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, these achievers were invited to meet the president and visit Rashtrapati Bhavan," it said.
The president banned plastic bottles in Rashtrapati Bhavan and promoted use of glass bottles in official meetings, state functions and for guests hosted by him.
"An e-invitation system has been introduced to send invites for the official functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan including the At-Home reception, state functions and other official programmes," Mr Kovind's office said.