Krishna Kant sworn in as vice-president

Krishna Kant was sworn in as vice-president of India on Thursday.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President K R Narayanan at a function at the Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Krishna Kant's 93-year-old mother Satyavati Devi witnessed the ceremony sitting in the front row. ''I can't express my feelings. It is beyond expression,'' she said. Satyavati Devi, a freedom fighter, was herself imprisoned during the British rule.

Kant defeated Akali Dal leader Surjeet Singh Barnala in the vice-presidential election. He was the consensus candidate of the United Front and the Congress.

Narayanan conducted the five-minute ceremony, his first after assumption of office as President.

Just before the ceremony, Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah read out the communication from the Election Commission announcing Kant's name as the vice-president-elect. Later, Padmanabhaiah read out the communication stating Kant's appointment.

Kant, accompanied by his mother and wife, arrived 15 minutes before the appointed time. He shook hands with Prime Minister I K Gujral, Congress president Sitaram Kesri and Bharatiya Janata Party president L K Advani. He also spoke to the former prime ministers present on the occasion.

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