Pranab to be sworn in tomorrow

Mangalore Today News Network/DHNS

New Delhi, July 23, 2012:Pranab Mukherjee will be sworn in as the 13th President of India on Wednesday at 11:30 am, July 25, 2012.

Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia will administer the oath of office to Mukherjee at the Central Hall of Parliament House in a ceremony that will be marked by all the presidential de rigueur.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that President Pratibha Patil and President-elect Pranab Mukherjee would arrive at the Central Hall of Parliament in procession.

“After the President-elect takes the oath of office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India, a 21-gun salute will be fired,” the MHA stated in a press-release on Monday.

The officials of Rashtrapati Bhavan called on Mukherjee soon after he won the Presidential polls on Sunday and briefed him about the elaborate ceremonial drill for the swearing-in ceremony.

 While the ceremonial change of guard will take place on Wednesday, members of both Houses of Parliament bid outgoing President Pratibha Patil farewell in a ceremony on Monday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also hosted a dinner in her honour.

The former Union finance minister and his wife Suvra would drive to the north-court of the Rashtrapati Bhavan early on Wednesday and be received and escorted into the majestic mansion by the military secretary and Aide-de-Camp of the President.

Patil will be waiting for her successor in the study. Both Patil and Mukherjee will then come to the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where presidential bodyguards will present a national salute to them before they are driven in the presidential limousine to the Parliament House.

Massive gathering

One thousand personnel of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force would stand guard and salute both of them along the way from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to Parliament House.

Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Chief Justice of India would receive Patil, who would be followed by Mukherjee, at the gate of the Parliament House and escort them to the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession amid drumbeats. The swearing-in ceremony would begin soon after they take seats on the podium, Patil at the centre and Mukherjee to her right.

After national anthem is played, Home Secretary R K Singh would take permission of Patil and read out the Election Commission’s missive announcing Mukherjee’s election as the new President.

21-gun salute

 The CJI would then administer the oath of office to Mukherjee amid a 21 Gun Salute. Mukherjee would then exchange seat with Patil before delivering an acceptance speech. The ceremony would then end with the playing of national anthem again.