The sentence “Raj said, ‘I am happy to be here this evening.’” is given in direct speech. Select the option that best expresses the same idea in indirect speech.

Introduction:
Direct and indirect speech questions check a learner's ability to correctly change pronouns, tenses, and time or place expressions when reporting someone's statement. The original sentence, Raj said, I am happy to be here this evening, is in direct speech. To convert it to indirect speech, we must apply rules for reporting statements introduced by a past tense reporting verb, while keeping the underlying meaning unchanged.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Direct speech: Raj said, I am happy to be here this evening. - Reporting verb: said, in the simple past. - Reported clause: I am happy to be here this evening. - We must adjust pronouns, tense, and deictic words here and this evening.

Concept / Approach:
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the usual rule is to shift the tense of the reported statement one step back. Simple present am becomes simple past was. Pronoun I changes to he, referring to Raj. The adverb here changes to there, and this evening changes to that evening, because the reference point has moved away from the original moment of speech. The conjunction that can be used to introduce the reported clause, giving a complete and grammatically correct indirect sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the reporting verb said and keep it as said in the indirect form. Step 2: Change I to he, since Raj is a male speaker being reported. Step 3: Shift the verb am to was to match the backshift rule. Step 4: Replace here with there and this evening with that evening to match the new reporting context. Step 5: Form the sentence: Raj said that he was happy to be there that evening.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the indirect sentence and compare it with the original. Both express that at some earlier time Raj expressed happiness about his presence at a place on that particular evening. The sense and time reference are preserved. Options that leave this evening unchanged or keep the present tense are not fully correct because they ignore standard backshift rules in reported speech.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, Raj was happy to be there this evening, drops the reporting structure and mixes past and present reference, making it unclear as reported speech. Option C, Raj said he was happy to be there this evening, does not change this evening to that evening and thus partially ignores the shift in time reference. Option D, Raj says he is happy to be there, uses present tense says and is, which does not match the original simple past reporting verb said.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often forget to change adverbs of time and place like here, now, today, tonight, this evening, and others when moving to indirect speech. It is helpful to memorise common conversion pairs such as this to that, now to then, and here to there. Also, remember that some exams insist on strict backshifting with a past reporting verb unless the meaning clearly demands otherwise.

Final Answer:
Raj said that he was happy to be there that evening. is the correct indirect speech form of the given sentence.