Ram Nath Kovind took over as India's 14th president yesterday, on a day of ceremony and regalia during which he underscored that the key to India’s success was its diversity
Ram Nath Kovind was sworn-in as the 14th President of India by Chief Justice of India, Justice JS Khehar in Parliament yesterday. Pic/PTI
Ram Nath Kovind took over as India's 14th president yesterday, on a day of ceremony and regalia during which he underscored that the key to India's success was its diversity.
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"In this land we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united," he said in his acceptance speech after taking oath of office in the historical Central Hall of Parliament.
The 71-year-old, who took over the highest Constitutional post in the country from Pranab Mukherjee, is the first BJP leader and the second Dalit in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Soon after taking the presidential oath, Kovind said, "Honoured to be sworn in as the 14th president of India; would be carrying out my responsibilities with all humility".
Stressing on access and opportunities for the "last person and the last girl-child from an under-privileged family", he said, "We have achieved a lot as a nation, but the effort to do more, to do better and to do faster should be relentless. This is especially so as we approach the 75th Year of our independence in 2022." Addressing the gathering, Kovind referred to his humble background and said he grew up in a mud house in a small village.
His journey to the presidency had been a long one. "It is so telling of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it follows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Constitution, of ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity - and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra," he said. "I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me," he said.
About Kovind
>> Born on October 1, 1945, in Paraunkh in Uttar Pradesh, he earned a BCom degree as well an LLB from Kanpur University.
>> He became an Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court in 1978, and practised at the Delhi High Court and the SC for 16 years till 1993.
>> He joined a stir by SC/ST employees in 1997.
Karnan approaches President
Former Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan yesterday made a representation before newly sworn-in President Ram Nath Kovind seeking remission of the six-month jail term awarded to him by the Supreme Court.
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