Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of the country on Monday. Murmu is the first person from a tribal community to hold the office.
Chief Justice of India N.V.Ramana administered the oath to Murmu at Parliament’s Central Hall. Outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and the president-elect would arrived at the Parliament in a ceremonial procession ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. The ceremony would be followed by 21 gun salute to the President.
Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M.Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Members of the Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military officers of the government were present.
On the conclusion of the ceremony in the central hall of the Parliament, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an inter-services guard of honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.
The 64-year-old scripted history on Thursday after defeating Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha in a one-sided contest. Murmu won the election by an overwhelming margin against Sinha after receiving over 64 per cent valid votes of MPs and MLAs, comprising the electoral college. Murmu got 6,76,803 votes against Sinha’s 3,80,177 votes.
She will be the first President to be born after independence and is the youngest to occupy the top post. She is also the second woman to become the President.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her maiden speech said that her election to the top constitutional post was not only an achievement of her own, but that of every poor of the country.
She said that her election is a reflection of the confidence of crores of Indians. She added her election was proof that poor in the country can have dreams and also fulfill them. President Murmu reiterated her resolve of working towards upliftment of marginalised for inclusive and rapid growth in country. Murmu said that it is the power of India’s democracy that a girl born in a poor tribal home could reach the topmost constitutional post.
Murmu said, “Your affinity, your trust and your support will be my greatest strength in fulfilling this new responsibility for me.” Highlighting the importance of nature conservation, she said, “I have been born in that tribal tradition which has carried on life in harmony with nature for thousands of years. I have realized the importance of forests and water bodies in my life. We take necessary resources from nature and serve nature with equal reverence.”
I want all sisters and daughters to be empowered more as they continue to increase their contribution in every field, the President said.
Chief Justice N.V.Ramana administered the oath to Droupadi Murmu in the cermony held at Parliament today.
(With inputs from PTI)