Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Prime Minister’s Office, Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Hon’ble Chairman, Administrative Reforms Commission Shri M. Veerappa Moily Ji, Hon’ble National Security Advisor, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Hon’ble Members of Planning Commission, Member, National Human Rights Commission, Central Vigilance Commissioner, esteemed former Directors of CBI, Chiefs of Central Police Organisations, distinguished Secretaries to the Government of India, esteemed retired officers and family members of late Shri D.P. Kohli Ji, members of the CBI fraternity, esteemed members of Media, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

         I consider it as a singular honour and a very special privilege to extend a warm and hearty welcome to each and everyone present here on the occasion of the 9th D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture. Through this Memorial Lecture, the CBI fraternity pays its homage to CBI’s founder Director late Shri D.P. Kohli Ji. It was during Shri Kohli’s stewardship that a strong foundation was laid for Central Bureau of Investigation to emerge as a professional and premier investigating agency of our country. Late Shri Kohli was a visionary which is reflected in the Motto "Industry, Impartiality and Integrity" that he gave to CBI. Today’s D.P. Kohli memorial lecture to be delivered by Hon’ble Vice President of India in presence of this exceptional distinguished gathering shall go a long way in strengthening CBI’s resolve to contribute to the Nation’s march on the path of progress and good governance.

         Ladies and gentlemen, we are indeed honoured to have in our midst, Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansariji. An erudite career diplomat, a scholar, an academician, Shri Hamid Ansariji was our permanent representative to United Nations, High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia. A recipient of Padmashri in 1984, Shri Hamid Ansariji was Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from May 2000 to March, 2002. He was Chairman, National Commission of Minorities from March, 2006 onwards till he took over the august office of the Vice President of India on August 11, 2007. As Chairman of the "Working Group of Confidence Building Measures across segments of society in the State of Jammu & Kashmir", he advocated return of Kashmiri Pandits to their original places of residence. An acclaimed academician, prolific writer and renowned West Asia scholar, he has written trenchantly on the Palestinian issues and taken positions on Iraq and Iran. I once again extend heartiest welcome to Hon'ble Vice President.

         I also extend a warm welcome to Minister of State for Personnel and Prime Minister's Office, Shri Prithviraj Chavanji for consenting to preside over today's Memorial Lecture. A Member of Parliament since 1991, Shri Chavan represents youthful India. Shri Chavan, after graduating in mechanical engineering from Birla Institute of Science, Pilani, obtained Master's degree in engineering from University of California, Berkeley, USA. As Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office since 2004, as an MP and Minister of State, he has contributed with distinction in the affairs of the Parliament and the State.

         2nd Administration Reforms Commission in its 4th Report on "Ethics in Governance" noted and I quote "Governance is admittedly the weak link in our quest for prosperity and equity. Elimination of corruption is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity for a nation aspiring to catch up with the rest of the world. Improved governance in the form of non-expropriation, contract enforcement, and decrease in bureaucratic delays and corruption can raise the GDP growth rate significantly." This significant observation of the Administrative Reforms Commission in the backdrop of enormous alround progress our country has made in the last decade and a half deserves a serious consideration. On account of economic liberalisation and various other legal and administrative measures, our country has sustained 9% growth during the last 3 years and yet each and everyone appear to be complaining with regard to standards of governance and malfunctioning of delivery points. Astronomical financial allocations for poverty alleviation programmes, health, education, irrigation and infrastructure do not seem to be reaching intended segments. Significant measures aimed at reducing the levels of corruption have not shown desired results. Criminal justice system has failed to dispense the expected standards of justice. Even strategic acquisitions get delayed on one account or the other and the latest proclaimed obstacle appear to be CBI investigations. As per media reports articulating popular perception of the common man, there is a widening gulf between aspirations of the people and efforts of the Government, be it the Central or the State Governments. All of it, perhaps, is an outcome of so called non-inclusive progress that we are making. In this backdrop, today's topic of the D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture, "The Enemy within - Corruption, Development and Governance" is very timely and it is not a surprise that our Hon'ble Vice President chose this topic for today's lecture. We look forward to listen to you, Sir, on this very critical subject.

         Late Shri D.P. Kohli had instituted an annual award for Best Constable/Head Constable for recognising the outstanding performance in this cadre. The award for this year will be presented by Hon'ble MOS (Personnel) to Shri Mahender Singh, Head Constable, CBI, SCR.III, New Delhi (now ASI, SCR.I, New Delhi). I congratulate Shri Mahender Singh.

         I once again welcome one and all present here on the occasion of 9th D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture.