Ram Nath Kovind sworn in as India's 14th President, says 'we are diverse, yet united and one'

New Delhi: Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as India's 14th President on Tuesday at a ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ambassadors and other diplomats, MPs and senior civil and military officers were among those present.  

25 July 2017

12:18 PM

President Ram Nath Kovind says, I am accepting this position with all humility and I am grateful for this responsibility.

Feel privileged to walk on the same path as Dr Radhakrishnan, Dr Abdul Kalam and Pranab da, the new President says.

I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me, says President Kovind.

We are different but we are one and united. These are the traditional values and there is no contradiction or alternative opinion about it, says President Kovind.

I come from a very simple background and the journey has been long, the President says.

The key to India’s success is its diversity and diversity is the core that makes us so unique, the President asserted.

12:12 PM

Ram Nath Kovind sworn in as 14th President of India. Chief Justice of India JS Khehar administered the oath of office to Kovind in Parliament's Central Hall.

11:55 AM

President Pranab Mukherjee's cavalcade moves towards Parliament House, President-elect Ram Nath Kovind is with him.

11:27 AM

Kovind on his way to Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will be sworn-in as President of India shortly.

At around 11.15 AM, a carcade arrived from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to take him for the elaborate oath-taking ceremony.

At the presidential palace, which will soon be his new home, Kovind, accompanied by his wife, met President Pranab Mukherjee who was waiting for them in the study. 

10:47 AM

Kovind's family members arrive at the Parliament ahead of his swearing-in, say they are extremely happy and proud.

10:33 AM

Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit BJP leader with humble beginnings, was on July 20 elected the 14th President of India. The 71-year-old Kovind defeated joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha speaker, after garnering 65.65 percent of the votes in the electoral college.

Backed by 40 parties, including those outside the ruling NDA, Kovind, 62, a former MP and Bihar Governor, defeated Meira Kumar with a margin of a vote value of 334,730.

10:32 AM

About Ram Nath Kovind

Ram Nath Kovind, was born on October 1, 1945 at Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh.

Career as an Advocate - His Excellency, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, was Central Government Advocate in Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979 and Central Government Standing Counsel in Supreme Court from 1980 to 1993. He became Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court of India in 1978. Had practiced in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for about 16 years till 1993. He was enrolled as an Advocate in 1971 with the Bar Council of Delhi.

Career as a Parliamentarian - His Excellency Shri Ram Nath Kovind was elected and became as Rajya Sabha MP in April 1994 from Uttar Pradesh and served for two consecutive terms for 12 years till March, 2006. Shri Kovind served as Member on following important Parliamentary Committees:-

-Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes.

-Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs.

-Parliamentary Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas.

-Parliamentary Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment.

-Parliamentary Committee on Law and Justice.

-Chairman of Rajya Sabha House Committee.

Ram Nath Kovind is married to Smt Savita Kovind. He has a son Prashant Kumar who is married and a daughter.

10:32 AM

Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind pay tributes at Rajghat.

The 71-year-old Kovind was also presented a Gandhi memento.

10:32 AM

President-elect Kovind leaves his residence to visit Rajghat to pay his respect to Mahatma Gandhi.

10:30 AM

Students, teachers and staff of the college where Ram Nath Kovind studied up to intermediate level have planned hearty celebrations for when he will be sworn-in as the 14th President of India.

10:29 AM

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee and Kovind will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession, where Kovind will be administered oath by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar.

He will then exchange seats with Mukherjee. A 21-gun salute will be given in his honour and the new president will then deliver his address. 

After the ceremony ends, the new President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an inter-services guard of honour will be given to him in its forecourt. Mukherjee will leave for his new address - 10 Rajaji Marg.