Military pomp marks Pratibha taking over as Prez

New Delhi, July 25: When the clock struck 2.30 pm today it was time for history to unfold in Indian Parliament.

But the elaborate customs that preceded Ms Pratibha Patil becoming the first woman president of the country had began an hour earlier.

At 1.30 pm, Military Secretary to President Maj Gen Vinod Chopra arrived at Ms Patil's 11 South Avenue residence to escort her to Rashtrapati Bhawan. She was received there by outgoing President APJ Abdul Kalam.

One thousand men drawn from the three forces lined the path as their cortege, with President's Bodyguards in tow, moved from Raisina Hill to Parliament, where Ms Pratibha Patil assumed the highest office of the country as also the charge of Supreme Commander of the armed forces.

After a brief ceremony the two drove back to Rashtrapati Bhawan where they were presented an inter-services Guard of Honour with canons booming to a 21-gun salute.

Thereafter, Ms Patil saw off her predecessor to an army guesthouse in Delhi Cantonment, where he would be staying before leaving for Chennai.

Long rehearsals and tight security measures had been taken to ensure all the formalities ticked like clockwork.

UNI