Search the Internet          Tips

Kalam sworn in as India's 11th President

A P J Abdul Kalam was sworn in as India's 11th President in a simple ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament on Thursday morning.

Chief Justice of India B N Kirpal administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 71-year old Kalam at an impressive function telecast live across the country.

Outgoing President K R Narayanan, Vice-President Krishna Kant, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, the new President's family and friends, one hundred specially invited schoolchildren and other leaders witnessed the event.

Kalam, who was escorted to the Central Hall by outgoing President K R Narayanan, was welcomed by Vice-President Krishan Kant, and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi.

Former President R Venkataraman and former prime ministers Inder Kumar Gujral and H D Deve Gowda were among the dignitaries who attended the function.

The students from a school in Tamil Nadu run by Kalam and 17-year-old Snehal Thakkar, who "ignited" the missile technologist's mind, were among the distinguished guests he had invited for the ceremony.

Kalam took the oath in the name of God as a 21-gun salute boomed in the background.

Earlier, Home Secretary Kamal Pandey read out the communication from the Election Commission about the election of the new President.

After the swearing-in function, Kalam drove in state escorted by the President's Bodyguard to Rashtrapati Bhawan where he was given a guard of honour.

PTI

The 11th President of India: Complete Coverage

The Presidency: A Special Series

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report