As it happened: Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as 14th president, says diversity is key for India

Very inspiring address by Ram Nath Kovind_ji_: Narendra Modi

Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji on taking oath as the President of India. @RashtrapatiBhvn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2017

Very inspiring address by President Ram Nath Kovind Ji, which beautifully summed up the essence of India’s strengths, democracy & diversity.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2017

Watch: Ram Nath Kovind gets 21-gun salute at Rashtrapati Bhavan

#BREAKING – #PresidentKovind takes over. #RamNathKovind reaches Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/1oph8BC5rZ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2017

How the change of guard at the Rashtrapati Bhavan unfolded

The elaborate ceremony for change of guard in India’s highest Constitutional office started with a gentle knock on the door of President-elect Ram Nath Kovind’s Akbar Road residence.

It was Military Secretary to the President, Major General Anil Khosla, inviting 71-year-old Kovind and his wife Savita to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Pranab Mukherjee was waiting for them in the study.

The two leaders then went to the grand Rashtrapai Bhavan forecourt where they were escorted to the saluting dais.

Mukherjee took the last salute of the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) with President-elect Kovind standing to his left.

He and his successor then drove down Raisina Hill to the Central Hall of the Parliament in a black limousine. Escorting them was grand equestrian procession by the PBG, dressed in white ceremonial uniforms and blue turbans with gold ornamental work.

The road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Parliament was lined with jawans of the armed forces. — PTI

Ram Nath Kovind gets 21-gun salute at the Rashtrapati Bhavan

People celebrate in president’s village

UP: People celebrate at village of President #RamNathKovind in Kanpur Dehat district after being sworn-in as the 14th President of India pic.twitter.com/j7zL4q986U

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 25, 2017

Ram Nath Kovind leaves for his new residence at 10 Rajaji Marg

इसी सेंट्रल हॉल में सीखा विचारों का सम्मानः राष्ट्रपति राम नाथ कोविंद pic.twitter.com/W6bWDhYRaU

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

We are now in the second half of the 21st century. We are proud of India’s diversity, heritage, development, & its citizens:#PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/isNnQy0tix

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2017

India must carry forward its legacy of Vasudev Kutumbakam: Ram Nath Kovind

“I am accepting this position with all humility and I am grateful for this responsibility,” he further said. “I am aware that I’m carrying forward the legacy of great leaders like Dr Rajendra Prasad,” he added.

Development needs to reach the most backward communities: Kovind

“The teachers who inspiring youth are nation-builders. Several women who are looking after their families and making their children proud citizens this country are nation-builders,” said Kovind as he said that we need to be proud of all occupations in India.

“It will only be right that India strives for peace and equality in the world,” he further said.

“We have achieved a lot by being one nation, But we need to strive for more and for better,” Kovind said.

“We constantly need to think about whether development in the country reaches the person stand last in a line or in the most backward community,” he said.

Kovind changes Twitter handle to @rashtrapatibhvn, Pranab Mukherjee’s account turns into archive 

We are different but we are one: Kovind

“We are in the 21st century. We all believe that this century belongs to India,” Kovind said in the Central Hall of the Parliament.

“India is full of variety. We are all very different but we are one,” he said.

“21st century India will be a country that will combine our earlier values and traditions with modern ideas,” he also said.

“Nation-building cannot be done only through government. The government can only be a guide. National pride is what contributes to nation-building,” Kovind said.

“We are proud of every citizen of India and also of even the smallest of livelihoods,” he said.

Ram Nath Kovind tweets for the first time as the President of India

Disagreements beauty of democracy: Kovind

“I am taking charge of this post with humility,” said Kovind.

“It was in this central hall that I had discussions with many of you. We’ve had our agreements and disagreements but we learnt to respect each others’ views This is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

“I want people to know that I will fulfill my duties towards them,” he said.

Ram Nath Kovind sworn in as the 14th President of India pic.twitter.com/ThzEFb3Wte

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Honoured to be sworn-in as president: Ram Nath Kovind

Honoured to be sworn in as the 14th President of India; would be carrying out my responsibilities with all humility #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 25, 2017

Ram Nath Kovind takes oath

Oath-taking ceremony begins

Kovind reaches Central Hall of Parliament

Kovind reaches Parliament

Ram Nath Kovind — along with Pranab Mukherjee, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Chief Justice of India JS Khehar — entered the Parliament.

Watch: Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Parliament, will take oath soon

#BREAKING – Countdown to oath ceremony has begun. #RamNathKovind makes his way to Rajpath #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/2YP3erRVnZ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2017

Kovind about to reach Parliament

संसद भवन की ओर रवाना हुए राष्ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी pic.twitter.com/B4fhyG43Uh

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

14वें राष्ट्रपति का शपथ ग्रहण समारोह pic.twitter.com/zBMCeyzFAF

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

संसद भवन की ओर बढ़ रहा है राष्ट्रपति का दस्ता pic.twitter.com/JTuW9V9wQe

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

#PresidentKovind President-elect #RamNathKovind and President Mukherjee on their way to Parliament
Image: ANI

LIVE: https://t.co/9KZHYmPxI4 pic.twitter.com/SNJ6rET3p3

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2017

Pranab Mukherjee given farewell in Rashtrapati Bhavan

राष्ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी को राष्ट्रपति भवन से दी जा रही है विदाई pic.twitter.com/mAiyw0xjUM

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

Ram Nath Kovind leaves Rashtrapati Bhavan for Raj Path with Pranab Mukherjee

Watch ANI’s live broadcast of the swearing-in ceremony here:

WATCH LIVE from Rashtrapati Bhavan: #RamNathKovind's swearing-in as President of India https://t.co/qDvOXixifd

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjoured till 3.00 PM today to allow members and ministers participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Ramnath Kovind as the 14th President of India.

The House was scheduled to run for a few minutes but as noisy protests mounted by opposition members over cow vigilantes and lynching erupted, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan decided to adjourn the proceedings just when the first question was being taken up in the Question Hour. — PTI

Watch: Kovind meets Mukherjee

#PresidentKovind -- President-elect #RamNathKovind meets President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/MyRE5TjVwN

— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 25, 2017

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm to enable members to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the President: PTI

Ram Nath Kovind meets Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan

Delhi: President-elect #RamNathKovind on his way to Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will be sworn in as President of India shortly pic.twitter.com/4qnAHuefsA

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Over 70 relatives of Kovind arrive for swearing-in ceremony: CNN-News18

How to watch live broadcast of oath-taking ceremony

National broadcaster Doordarshan will air the ceremony starting 11 am.

For more details, click here .

Kovind joins Twitter as @RBhavan14

Ceremony to take place in Central Hall of Parliament, CJI to give oath to Kovind

संसद के केन्द्रीय कक्ष में होगा शपथ समारोह, मुख्य न्यायाधीश दिलाएंगे नए राष्ट्रपति को शपथ

— Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) July 25, 2017

Kovind’s family arrives at Parliament

Delhi: #RamNathKovind's family members arrive at the Parliament ahead of his swearing-in, say they are extremely happy and proud. pic.twitter.com/oV9z0V5jLh

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Watch the live broadcast of Ram Nath Kovind’s swearing-in ceremony here:

Kovind pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

Delhi: President-elect #RamNathKovind & his wife Savita Kovind pay tributes at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/HtbdVHr8qf

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Rajghat

Delhi: President-elect #RamNathKovind leaves his residence for Rajghat. He will be sworn in as the 14th President of India, today. pic.twitter.com/jlZergegEi

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2017

Kovind can do a lot for India’s higher education

Ram Nath Kovind’s election as the President of India will be a red letter day for higher education in the country. His social background will give a further thrust to the plebian ethos in the management of higher education. After formal swearing-in, as a Visitor of all central universities, he will have a big ‘knowledge constituency’ to serve in the country.

A nation is ultimately known by its ‘soft power’, whose foundation depends on the ‘forward linkage’ of education, where the President of India will be a presiding deity. In view of President-elect Kovind’s contribution in the realm of higher education in Bihar where he was the governor, he is expected to act as a strong catalytic agent in triggering an educational renaissance in the country.

Read Shaibal Gupta’s full article here .

All you need to know about Ram Nath Kovind

​Did you know that Ram Nath Kovind’s career has spanned over 16 years and that he worked to provide free legal aid to weaker sections of the society, especially SC/ST women?

Find out all you need to know about the president-elect here .

President’s Pranab Mukherjee’s last address to the nation

In his last address to the nation as the President, Pranab Mukherjee made an impassioned case for freeing public discourse from all kinds of violence. Mukherjee said the capacity for compassion and empathy is the “true foundation” of India’s civilisation.

Read the full speech here .

For a step-by-step account of how the swearing-in ceremony will unfold, click here .