Narendra Modi Commences Historic Third Term as India's Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, India's charismatic leader, has embarked on an unprecedented third term as the nation's Prime Minister after a landslide victory by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent elections. The swearing-in ceremony, held at the hallowed Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, witnessed an array of esteemed international dignitaries, including the Presidents of Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, along with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
At the dawn of this momentous occasion, Modi paid homage to the revered Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Sadaiv Atal in Delhi. He then proceeded to the National War Memorial, where he solemnly laid a wreath in remembrance of India's fallen heroes, accompanied by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at 7:15 pm, with President Droupadi Murmu bestowing the oath of office upon Modi and his newly appointed Council of Ministers. The esteemed guests, who had begun arriving at 5 pm, witnessed the historic event, which marked a new chapter in India's political journey.
Ahead of the ceremony, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge received an invitation to attend the event. However, sources have indicated that Kharge will make a decision on his participation after consulting with members of the INDIA bloc.
Following his re-election, Modi, the leader of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), met with President Murmu on Friday. During this meeting, she extended a formal invitation for Modi to form the new government. In a symbolic gesture of auspiciousness, she offered him 'dahi-cheeni' (curd mixed with sugar), a traditional Indian delicacy believed to bring good fortune in new endeavors.
To ensure the safety of the high-profile event, the Delhi Police implemented a stringent traffic advisory, mirroring the robust security measures employed during the G20 Summit hosted in India last year. Drones, snipers, paramilitary personnel, and elite NSG commandos were strategically deployed around Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Approximately 2,500 police personnel, including five companies of paramilitary and Delhi Armed Police (DAP) jawans, will be deployed around the venue, an official informed news agency PTI.
In addition, airspace restrictions were imposed in Delhi from 3 pm to 11 pm during the swearing-in ceremony, according to a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). However, these restrictions did not affect scheduled flights of regular operators or the operations of IAF, BSF, and Army aviation helicopters.
Spectacular Security Arrangements
Special care was taken to secure all hotels in the national capital where the foreign dignitaries were accommodated. The security arrangements were meticulously planned and executed, ensuring the safety of all attendees and the smooth conduct of the event.
A New Era Beckons
Prior to the oath-taking ceremony, Modi convened a meeting with his newly appointed cabinet at his residence, where he outlined their responsibilities and the expectations he held for their performance in the new government.
As Modi embarks on his historic third term, India stands at a pivotal juncture in its development. The nation eagerly anticipates the policies and initiatives that his government will implement to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
