Pranab Mukherjee sworn in as 13th President of India

Former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was today sworn in as the 13th President of India by Justice S H Kapadia Chief Justice of India.

Capping a five-decade career, Mukherjee, 76, took the oath of office in English to "preserve, protect and defend the constitution and law" at the Central Hall of Parliament amidst a thunderous applause and thumping of desks.

Present at the event were vice president Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outgoing President Pratibha Patil, cabinet ministers, leaders of opposition, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, governors, chief ministers, MPs and diplomats.

After being administered the oath of office, he was offered the chair of the President by outgoing President Pratibha Patil. Mukherjee was then offered a 21-gun salute marking the assumption of office the President.

In a brief address, he said the principal responsibility of the office of the President was as the guardian of the Constitution. He spoke about the problems of hunger, democracy and secularism  and global terrorism.

"I will strive to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution not just in words but in spirit," Mukherjee said. He also said word poverty should be eliminated from the dictionary of modern India but felt tickle down theory would not work. He said hunger is a humiliation for the mankind. 

Mukherjee then went to Rajghat in the presidential Mercedes Benz S 600to pay homage to the Father of the Nation, and then on to Veer Bhumi to pay his respects to the late Rajiv Gandhi, to Shakti Sthal to pay homeage to late Mrs Indira Gandhi, and to the memorial of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

(See: Acceptance speech by President Pranab Mukherjee on assumption of the office of President of India)