Ram Nath Kovind Takes Oath As 14th President Of India

NEW DELHI: Ram Nath Kovind, the 71-year-old former BJP member and RSS swayamsevak, on Tuesday took oath as the 14th President of India at the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi.

Chief Justice of India Justice JS Khehar administered the oath of office, after which Kovind exchanged the chair with outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee.

Chief Justice Khehar, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Vice-President Hamid Ansari accompanied Mukherjee and Kovind to the Central Hall after their arrival.

Soon after assuming the presidency, Kovind addressed the audience, comprising members of the two Houses and invited dignitaries. Later, Mukherjee, along with Kovind, reached his new home, 10 Rajaji Marg, where the two were received by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Those present at the swearing-in ceremony included Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, union ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers of most states including that of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh K. Chandrasekhar Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu respectively, Ambassadors and other diplomats, MPs and senior civil and military officers.

Ram Nath Kovind began his day with a visit to Rajghat to pay his respect to Mahatma Gandhi before heading to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Last week, Ram Nath Kovind, who was the former Governor of Bihar won the 2017 presidential election against opposition candidate Meira Kumar, the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Mr Kovind got 65.65 per cent of the total votes which totalled 702,044 electoral college votes.

Pranab Mukharjee Looks Forward To Quiet Moments At New Home

Mukherjee, say sources, is "looking forward" to some quiet hours at his new home, where all his belongings have already been moved. The room which has held the maximum interest for him is the library, which has a substantial collection of Bengali literature. Officials added that Mukherjee was leaving behind all the gifts he received during his term.

Mukherjee has also insisted on keeping things simple, said sources, refusing to opt for an ostentatious vehicle.

Former Presidents are allowed a vehicle with a driver, and fuel. Sources close to Mukherjee confirmed that he had shown an interest in an "ordinary" car, not the Mercedes he travelled in as President. A Toyota Camry has been suggested by his office to the MHA, which is over-seeing the preparations, said officials, adding that the ministry had recommended a bullet-proof vehicle for Mukherjee's security.