New Delhi: A lawyer-turned-politician, Ram Nath Kovind, took oath as India’s 14th President this noon at a ceremony in the Central Hall of the Parliament. He is the first BJP member and second Dalit to occupy the country’s highest office. The first Dalit President was K.R. Narayanan.

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee and 71-year-old President-elect Kovind arrived in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession where Kovind was administered oath by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar at around 12.12 pm.

Those present at the ceremony were Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, BJP President Amit Shah, Senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ambassadors and other diplomats, MPs, civil and military officers and Ram Nath Kovind’s family members. Congress Vice-President and MP Rahul Gandhi was conspicuous by not being seen on TV.

President-elect Ram Nath Kovind began the day at 10.20 am with a visit to Rajghat along with his wife Savita Kovind to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi before heading to Rastrapathi Bhavan.

He was escorted by the military service till the Rastrapathi Bhavan forecourt where he was received by incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee.

CEREMONIAL PROCESSION

From there, both Mukherjee and Kovind arrived in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. They arrived together in a black Mercedes Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard. It is a custom-built, heavily armoured limousine which meets the requirements of the highest protection class. At the Central Hall, they were received by presiding officers of the two Houses — the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Vice-President, who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

After the swearing-in ceremony, President Kovind and his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee exchanged seats. A 21-gun salute was given in his honour and new President then delivered his acceptance speech and addressed the nation for the first time.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

In his address, Kovind said that he was honoured to be sworn-in as the President.

“It was in this Central Hall that I had discussions with many of you. We’ve had our agreements and disagreements but we learnt to respect each others’ views and this is the beauty of democracy. I want people to know that I will fulfil my duties towards them,” he said.

POST-CEREMONY

Post the swearing-in ceremony, Kovind left with Mukherjee for Rastrapathi Bhavan. An Inter-Services Guard of Honour was given to Ram Nath Kovind in the forecourt at the 300-acre Raisina Hill and courtesies were extended to the outgoing President. Pranab Mukherjee also gave the new President a tour of the official residence — the Rastrapathi Bhavan.

Later, President Ram Nath Kovind escorted Mukherjee to his new residence — 10, Rajaji Marg, where former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also lived. This was Mukherjee’s last ride in the Presidential limousine.