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: | Ashoka Hall, cabinet ministers, Congress Party, Congress-led government, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Indian Government, Indian leadership, Indians, Jawaharlal Nehru, majesty of Indian government, Members of Parliament, Pratibha Patil, President of India, Presidential Guard, Prime Minister of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, swearing-in ceremony, United Progressive Alliance, UPA
