2.
On the eve of my laying down office, with the inauguration of the Republic, I should like to tender my greetings and best wishes to the men and women of India who will henceforth be a citizen of a republic. I feel deeply thankful for the affection showered on me by all sections of the people, which alone enabled me to hear the burden of an office to the duties and conventions of which I had been an utter stranger.
C. Rajagopalachari
