President Pranab Mukherjee vows to protect constitution

NEW DELHI: Assuming office as the 13th President, Pranab Mukherjee today pledged to protect the Constitution not just in word but also in spirit as the office demands he rises above personal or partisan interests.

Making a brief acceptance speech after being sworn-in as President in the Central Hall of Parliament, he termed corruption as an "evil" and said the greed of a few cannot be allowed to hijack the progress of the nation.

"The principal responsibility of this office is to function as the guardian of our Constitution. I will strive, as I said on oath, to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution not just in word but also in spirit," Mukherjee said in his acceptance speech after he assumed the highest constitutional post at an impressive ceremony.

His speech was punctuated by repeated thumping of desks and applause.

"I am deeply moved by the high honour you have accorded to me. Such honour exalts the occupant of this office, even as it demands that he rises above personal or partisan interests in the service of the national good," he said.

"There is no greater reward for a public servant than to be elected the first citizen of our republic," Mukherjee said.

The veteran leader reminded the gathering whose majority included top leaders of political parties, MPs, chief ministers and governors that "We are all, across the divide of party and region, partners at the altar of our motherland".