Droupadi Murmu sworn in the 15th President of India

NEW DELHI: Droupadi Murmu was on Monday sworn in as the 15th President of India, amid a flood of congratulatory messages and greetings from across the country. Murmu, 64, became the first tribal woman ever to assume office of the highest constitutional position in the country. Also, she is now the second woman enthroned in the post, only after Pratibha Patil.

At a glittering ceremony at the Central Hall of Parliament here, she took the oath of office, as administered to her by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Members of the Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, MPs and civil and military officials, among others.

She received a ceremonial 21-gun salute at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan following the oath-taking ceremony. She was accorded a warm welcome by her outgoing predecessor Ramnath Kovind and his wife.

Leading the nation in congratulating the newly-installed president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that it was a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalized and downtrodden.

"The entire nation watched with pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji too oath as the President of India. Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalized and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure," his tweet read.

Addressing the nation, Droupadi Murmu said that she is the first President to be born in independent India and that her nomination is evidence that the poor in India can not only dream but also fulfill those dreams. Also, talking about women empowerment, she said, "I want all sisters and daughters to be empowered more as they continue to increase their contribution in every field."

Droupadi Murmu created history on Thursday when she won the President's election comfortably against opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha and by a huge margin. The election also assumes significance for the fact that it witnessed a large number of MPs and MLAs voting for her even crossing their party lines.