Bobby Jindal to take oath as Louisiana Guv tomorrow

New York, Jan 13 (UNI) Indian American Bobby Jindal would be sworn in as governor of US state of Louisiana tomorrow amid pomp and pageantry marked by 19-cannon salute and flypast by F-15 fighter jets.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the grand ceremony of the 36-year-old Oxford-educated Jindal becoming Louisiana's 55th governor.

The ceremony involved weeks of planning and careful political considerations, including bands, buntings and a speech from the new governor about his plans for the job.

Mr Jindal attended a special prayer service at St Joseph's Cathedral today. He would be administered the oath of office from Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Pascal Calogero and speak to the crowd for the first time as governor.

Jindal's family, Louisiana's congressional delegation, state lawmakers and others would be present there. Five other statewide elected officials would also take the oath of office on the state Capitol steps.

About 2,700 people are expected to attend the ceremony.

Tomorrow has been declared a state holiday to allow state government employees to attend the ceremony and control the flow of traffic in downtown Baton Rouge.

Bobby Jindal will be the first person of Indian-origin to hold the governor's post, symbolising the growing clout of the Indian American community in the US political arena.

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