Pratibha Patil to be sworn in on July 25

New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) India will have its first woman President on July 25 when Ms Pratibha Patil will be sworn in to hold the highest Constitutional post.

Ms Patil, who will be the 12th President, will be administered the oath of office by India's Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan at a function at the Central Hall of Parliament.

The President-elect, who will succeed Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, has been asked about her convenient time for the swearing-in ceremony and her response is awaited, official sources said this evening.

Dr Kalam has to attend a function at Anna University, Chennai, on July 25, but his departure for Tamil Nadu depends on the timing of his successor assuming office, the sources said.

The outgoing President will take salute from the Presidential Security Guards just before the swearing-in of Ms Patil, who will be given an inter-services guard of honour shortly after she assumes charge.

Meanwhile, all the arrangements have been put in place for the swearing in ceremony and whatever time is chosen, it would not pose any problem, logistic or otherwise, the sources said.

Dr Kalam has been allotted a duplex bungalow at 10 Rajaji Marg where renovation work is going on in full swing. The place is expected to be ready for occupation within a fortnight.

The technocrat President is likely to divide his time between Chennai and Delhi, where he is expected to stay for about ten days every month.

Addressing a function in the city yesterday, Dr Kalam said he would be leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan with just two small suitcases and a collection of books which he had assiduously bought over several years.

He would be leaving behind at Rashtrapati Bhavan all the gifts he received when he was President. These would be housed in an art gallery.

UNI