(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Making history as the first occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan from the BJP, President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday pledged to always follow the basic mantra of the Constitution to ensure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Elected to the highest constitutional office last week, Kovind was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar at a brief but glittering ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament before a gathering of MPs, chief ministers and diplomats.
Taking oath, Kovind pledged to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and devoted himself to the services and well-being of the people of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers, opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi and former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda attended the event.
At the end of over three hours of protocol and formalities on a rain-marred day, the new president accompanied his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee to the latter's new abode - 10 Rajaji Marg - after his warm farewell at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In his speech, Kovind hailed the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and Sangh icon Deen Dayal Upadhyay and said there was a need to build India as 'an economic leader as well as moral exemplar.
'For us, those two touchstones can never be separate. They are and must forever be linked.
Recalling his humble beginnings from growing up in a mud house in an Uttar Pradesh village, Kovind said he has had a long journey.
'Yet this journey is hardly mine alone. 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 ensuring justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra.
In another line that avoided any reference to Congress occupants of the Rashtrapati Bhavan barring two, Kovind said he was conscious he was following the footsteps of stalwarts such as Rajendra Prasad, S Radhakrishnan, A P J Abdul Kalam and his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and the Constitution's architect B R Ambedkar, the president said these leaders did not believe that political freedom was enough; it was crucial to also achieve economic and social freedom for millions.
'The key to India's success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. 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. 21st century India will be in conformity with its ancient values and compliant with the fourth industrial revolution, he said.
'There is no dichotomy there, no question of choice. We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India.
Kovind debuts on Twitter with 3mn followers
Ram Nath Kovind's entry into the cyber world as the 14th president of India yesterday was swift and seamless - garnering over 3mn followers within hours of debuting on Twitter. 'Honoured to be sworn in as the 14th president of India; would be carrying out my responsibilities with all humility #PresidentKovind, said the Twitter handle of Kovind @rashtrapatibhvn even as he was completing the mandatory constitutional oath of office in the Central Hall of Parliament. And then followed a series of tweets from his speech after the oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar. Within hours, Kovind had 3.27mn followers, though he was 'following only his immediate predecessor Pranab Mukherjee @POI13.
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