Hamid Ansari sworn in as Vice-President

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Dr Hamid Ansari was sworn in as the 13th Vice President of India at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening.

President Pratibha Patill administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr Ansari at the Ashoka Hall at a brief ceremony.

Among those present at the swearing-in ceremony were Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister I K Gujral, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri and senior Cabinet ministers.

Attired in a 'sherwani', Dr Ansari took the oath in English befoe appending his signature.

In a triangular contest yesterday, UPA-Left candidate Ansari defeated NDA candidate Najma Heptulla and UNPA nominee Rasheed Masood.

He replaces Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who resigned last month after his defeat in the Presidential poll, in which Mrs Patil emerged victorious as UPA-Left candidate.

UNI