From the archive record
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is escorted to Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Presidents' Bodyguard (PBG). One thousand jawans from far-flung borders have arrived for this ceremony, and stand near Rashtrapati Bhavan. President K. R. Narayanan accompanies Dr. Kalam in the limousine. From the boy who sold newspapers in Rameshwaram, to the man building satellites and eventually making nuclear bombs for the defense of India. Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist won the President of India's election in 2002 and swore as the 11th President of India, by beating his nearest rival Capt. Dr. Lakshmi Sahgal. An impressive ceremony was convened in the Central Hall of the Parliament on 25th July 2002. The oath of office was administered by the then Chief Justice of India, Justice B.N. Kirpal