Taking over as the new President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, in his acceptance speech today, described the battle against terrorism as the “fourth world war”, as “it can raise its evil head anywhere in the world”. Mukherjee said, as “guardian of the Constitution”, his prime responsibility would be to “preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, not just in word but also in spirit”.
Highlighting the fact that “India has been on the frontlines of the war against terrorism long before many others recognised it,” Mukherjee did not forget to remind everyone of “the war within” (Naxalism).
He stressed on the need to alleviate poverty, as “there is no humiliation more abusive than hunger”..
Recalling his earliest memories of the famine that ravaged Bengal when he was a boy, he told his audience, “The misery and sorrow is still not lost on me." On a personal note, he confessed that “There is no greater reward for a public servant than to be elected the first citizen of our republic.”
The ceremony, steeped in convention, saw Mukherjee take the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice S H Kapadia, outgoing President Pratibha Patil receiving the last guard of honour from the horse-mounted Presidential Body Guard, followed by Mukherjee inspecting the guard of honour.
The incoming President accompanied the outgoing President to her temporary residence on Tughlaq Road before she moved to Pune.
Mukherjee is the first Leader of the House (Lok Sabha) to occupy the President’s post. Nonetheless, he reminded his audience that as President, he “rises above personal or partisan interests in the service of the national good”.
Prominent among those who attended Mukherjee’s swearing in ceremony was troublesome UPA ally Trinamool Congress’ chief Mamata Banerjee. Despite being the one who till the end held out from extending support to Mukherjee, she drove to his residence in the capital last evening to congratulate him.
Another significant face was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar; his JD(U) broke ranks with its BJP allsy to support Mukherjee's candidature.
Omita Paul appointed secretary to President
Within hours of Mukh-erjee assuming office as the President of India, his close aide, Omita Paul, was appointed his secretary.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Paul as secretary to the President on re-employment on contract basis, in the rank and pay of secretary,” the government said in a statement.
It said her tenure would be co-terminus with the tenure of the President with effect from the date of joining or till she ceased to function in her current position or until further orders, whichever was earlier.
The position was held by 1973 batch Indian Administrative Services officer Christy Fernandes during Pratibha Patil’s tenure as President.
Paul, 63-year-old Indian Information Services officer of 1973 batch, has been a long-term ally of Mukherjee. In her last role she served as advisor to the Mukherjee in the finance ministry.
Much like her appointment on the same day as the 13th President, her resignation in the finance ministry also came few hours ahead of Mukherjee’s resignation on June 26.
Paul, who is married to former Delhi Police Commissioner KK Paul, is considered an all-powerful officer. It is believed that Mukherjee relies a lot on her advice. In the President’s House she will be advising him on crucial issues, including 2014 general elections.
She took voluntarily retirement from the government service in 2002 to join Institute for Studies in Industrial Development. Between 2004 and 2009 she worked as Mukherjee’s advisor in his capacity as defence minister, external affairs minister and most recently finance minister.
Paul first worked with Mukherjee as Officer on Special Duty in 1991 when the latter was the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. She also had a brief stint as Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission in 2009.
