Modi Oath-One of the Biggest Functions in Rashtrapati Bhavan


NEW DELHI: Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony Monday will be one of the biggest such events held at Rashtrapati Bhavan with around 4,000 guests, including seven heads of government, attending.

Rashtrapati Bhavan has held ceremonies attended by 1,400-1,500 guests earlier.

Modi's swearing-in ceremony will be an open air event at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. A stage has been set up at the base of the steps, with hundreds of chairs placed in a semi-circle facing it for the ceremony, which shall be televised live.

Earlier, the swearing-in ceremonies were held at Ashoka Hall, with around a 400-500 restricted guest list, said Omita Paul, secretary to President Pranab Mukherjee, briefing media on the arrangements.

Only twice earlier have swearing-in ceremonies been held at the forecourt -- of Chandrashekhar in 1990 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 -- where the guests numbered around 1,200-1,300, said Paul.

There is no word yet if Modi's kin would be attending the ceremony, she said.

"It is a one of its kind function being held by Rashtrapati Bhavan," said Paul.

"We have tried to take care of each detail. It was a huge logistical challenge for us," she said, adding that they worked in tandem with the security personnel.

Source: IANS