Sonia greeted with thumping of desk as the President outlined government's commitment of zero tolerance to violence against women and its promise to provide 33 per cent reservation for them in Parliament and state Assemblies.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Advani also welcomed it by thumping the desk.
Singh was seated with Modi and Jaitley in one of the first rows.
Sonia also greeted with thumping of desk when Mahatma Gandhi's name was mentioned in the speech. They also hailed the government's plan for cleaning the Ganga river.
