March 13: Newly-elected President Ram Chandra Paudel took the oath of office and secrecy amidst a special ceremony held at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas on Monday.     
Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki administered the oath to the President-elect Paudel on the occasion. Paudel was elected to the coveted post on March 9.    
The Constitution of Nepal has the provision which states that the President-elect, before assuming office, should take the oath of office and secrecy from the chief justice in accordance with the federal law.    
Outgoing President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, former prime ministers and former chairman of the Council of Ministers were present on the occasion.    
Also present at the ceremony were the deputy prime minister, ministers, members of parliament, heads of constitutional bodies, special-class officers of the government, chiefs of the security bodies, representatives of diplomatic missions in Nepal, leaders of various political parties, media persons, among others.    
Outgoing President Bhandari, Vice President Pun, Prime Minister Dahal, former prime ministers, among the dignitaries congratulated President Paudel following the swearing-in ceremony. Also on the occasion, President Paudel and Prime Minister Dahal bid farewell to outgoing President Bhandari.    
The Nepalese Army presented a special guard of honour on the occasion. -- RSS