It is a great pleasure for me to attend the inaugural session of this important conference, which seeks to control and eliminate leprosy. I am glad that our Honorable Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Thakur is with us today. We are also happy to welcome Mr. Shakuni Choudhary, Honorable Minister of Health of Bihar and the senior officials from the Central Government and from various state governments who have come to attend this important conference.

　

It is equally heartening to see that a number of NGOs and private foundations involved in the elimination of this disease are participating in this important Conference. In this day and age, civil society and NGOs play a role, which is vital to the proper functioning of governments and multi-national corporations and multi-national organizations.

　

We are happy that the Nippon Foundation has taken this noble initiative. It is keeping with their tradition of promoting goodwill amongst peoples of different nations and contributing to worthwhile causes in social uplifts and in education. We are cooperating closely with the Nippon Foundation in other ventures and look forward to a meaningful and mutually beneficial partnership with this important organization.