President Pratibha Patil on Monday said her government was working "single-mindedly" to deliver the promise of inclusive growth for the aam aadmi (common man), who had to be protected against the "ravages" of the economic crisis and the failure of the monsoon in mid 2009.

"Since assuming office in May 2009, my government has worked single-mindedly to build on the achievements of its earlier term to deliver the promise of faster and more inclusive growth," Patil said, addressing the joint session of both houses of parliament on the opening day of the budget session.

"The aam aadmi (common man) was and is at the core of this promise, the aam aadmi had to be protected against the ravages of the worst ever global economic crisis since the great depression and against the failure of the monsoon in large parts of the country in mid 2009," she said.

"My government has combined a caring and sensitive approach in dealing with the immediate economic and social problems, has taken measures to strengthen the nation's security and has proceeded with a desire to accommodate disparate political regional voices."

The railway budget will be presented Feb 24 and the union budget 26. The budget session will continue till May 7 with more than a three-week break in between.