Pranab Mukherjee dons new role as 13th President of India
New Delhi: Putting aside two decade old tradition of having Presidents from non-active political background, Pranab Mukherjee , one of the most celebrated politicians of the country, has been elected as 13th President of India. It was in the year 1982 when Giani Zail Singh had become the 7th President of India who also hailed from active political background. 76-year-old Mukherjee was administered the oath of office to "preserve, protect and defend the constitution and law" by Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia at an impressive ceremony in the historic Central Hall of Parliament. The veteran leader took the oath in English in the name of God to a thunderous applause and thumping of desks by those in the packed Central Hall that included Vice President Hamid Ansari, Speaker Meira Kumar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and outgoing President Pratibha Patil. President Pranab Mukherjee in pics READ MORE Prez Pran...