Indians should be proud of their democracy and the majesty of its traditions. Last Friday, May 22, 2009, the elected members of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and the opposition Members of Parliament gathered in the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in central Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony. The historic Ashoka Hall was packed to the capacity, the bugles sounded and the Presidential Guard marched in, escorting the President of India to the chambers. The national anthem was played and the entire Indian leadership stood in honor. Indian President Pratibha Patil administered the oath of office and secrecy to the prime minister and 19 cabinet ministers. The new Congress-led government was sworn in for a second term of five years, with Dr Manmohan Singh taking oath as the next Prime Minister of India. Manmohan Singh is only the second Indian Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to be returned to power following a full five-year term. The Congress party won a decisive mandate in the recent polls and Dr Manmohan Singh has emerged as an honest and a popular leader. This was Indian democracy at its best!
Filed under: Indian Politics | Tagged: Prime Minister of India, Indian Government, Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress Party, Dr. Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance, UPA, Members of Parliament, President of India, Indians, majesty of Indian government, Congress-led government, Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, swearing-in ceremony, Presidential Guard, Indian leadership, Pratibha Patil, cabinet ministers
