Pranab Mukherjee visits Rajghat before presidential swearing-in

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): Pranab Mukherjee visited Mahatma Gandhi's 'samadhi' at Rajghat here this morning to pay his respects to the Father of the Nation before taking oath as the country's 13th President.

Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia will administer the oath to Mukherjee at 11:30 a.m. at a special ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers and a host of dignitaries will be present on the historic occasion.The function will begin with the arrival of President Pratibha Patil and President-elect Mukherjee in a ceremonial procession from the Rashtrapati Bhawan to the Parliament Building.

After Mukherjee takes over, he will be given a 21-gun salute, address the gathering and then leave for the Rashtrapati Bhawan with Patil. He will also be given an inter-services guard of honour in the forecourt of the Presidential palace.

Mukherjee will then escort President Patil to her temporary accommodation on Tughlak Lane, where she will stay till her post-retirement home in Pune is ready. (ANI)