Pranab Mukherjee sworn-in as 13th President Photos

Pranab Mukherjee sworn-in as 13th President

 

Sworn-in

Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday became the 13th President of India capping a five-decade career that saw him play significant roles in government, Parliament and party.  

Impressive ceremony

76-year-old Mukherjee was administered the oath of office to 'preserve, protect and defend the constitution and law' by Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia at an impressive ceremony in the historic Central Hall of Parliament.

Thunderous applause

The veteran leader took the oath in English in the name of God to a thunderous applause and thumping of desks by those in the packed Central Hall that included Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Speaker Meira Kumar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and outgoing President Pratibha Patil.

'Not in words but in spirit'

"I will strive to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution not just in words but in spirit," Mukherjee said in his brief acceptance address.

13th President

New President Pranab Mukherjee is escorted by outgoing President of India, Prathibha Patil, parliamentary Speaker Miera Kumar and Vice President Hamed Ansari as he arrives for his swearing-in ceremony at parliament.

Presidential ride

Before the function in Parliament, the outgoing President and the President-elect, wearing a black achkan, churidar (long coat, pyjama), drove a small distance in the bullet-proof Presidential limousine from the North Court to the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

Political veteran Pranab Mukherjee offers flower petals at Rajghat, the memorial to the late Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi.

Procession

Presidential bodyguards escort newly sworn-in President Pranab Mukherjee to the Rahtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

All key portfolios

Mukherjee held all the key portfolios including Defence from May 2004 to October 2006 and External Affairs from October 2006 to May 2009 besides the Finance portfolio, which he held again in 2009 after a gap of 27 years.

Lawyer, teacher and journalist

Pranab had a brief stint as lawyer, teacher and journalist before he was embedded to his destiny of politics in 1969, when he became a member of Rajya Sabha.

Leader

Mukherjee was Leader of the Rajya Sabha from 1980-85 and later he became Leader of the Lok Sabha.

For the nation

President Pranab Mukherjee waves to the media on his arrival in a horse-drawn carriage.