New Delhi: Mr Ram Nath Kovind today became the 14th President of the country, taking oath of office at a simple but impressive ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament here. Mr Kovind, the second Dalit President after K R Narayanan, was administered oath by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President M Hamid Ansari, senior members of the Cabinet, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, veteran.
BJP leader L K Advani, BJP chief Amit Shah, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and leaders of other parties, MPs and other distinguished people from different walks of life. As Mr Kovind was sworn in, he was given 21-gun salute. Earlier, Mr Kovind along with outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in the Central Hall of Parliament in a ceremonial procession from Rashtrapati Bhawan. Mr Kovind was elected as President on July 20 after a keen contest with Joint Opposition candidate Meira Kumar. (UNI)