NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu Monday administered the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the 53rd since the country became a Republic and the first from Haryana. Kant took oath in the name of God in presence of PM Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues, Vice-President and Supreme Court and high court judges.CJI Kant’s 235-strong guest list for the oath ceremony mirrored his endeavour to cherish the relationships he’s nurtured since his days as an adolescent. Many nonagenarians and octogenarians who had watched him play as a boy on the dusty tracks of Petwar, a remote village in Hisar district, along with some of those who taught him in school and college, were part of the guest entourage that trotted into the dazzling Ashoka Hall to watch him being appointed the head of India’s judiciary.Also present was outgoing CJI B R Gavai. Two eminent persons from Kant’s home state – CM Naib Singh Saini and former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar – were seated in the front row.Justice Gavai gave his successor a warm hug after the oath ceremony. Though Justice Gavai had travelled to Rashtrapati Bhavan in CJI’s official vehicle, he returned home in a car provided by Rashtrapati Bhavan.Usha Dahiya, now 85, had taught Justice Kant English in undergraduate course at Govt College, Hisar. Incidentally, Hisar was the first town he ever visited. Also among Justice Kant’s guests were two professors – Ranvir Singh, the founding vice-chancellor of National Law University Delhi (NLUD) and K P S Mahalwar, who teaches at NLUD – who taught him law when he was a student of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He got his law degree in 1984. Justice Kant touched the feet of his elders and teachers both before and after taking the oath.Kant’s parents are no more, but his nonagenarian father-in-law and octogenarian mother-in-law were present on the occasion. Also in attendance were scores of his late father’s friends, eager to share the proud moment for their ‘boy’ at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His childhood friends, and relatives swelled the numbers.It hardly needs to be pointed out that for an overwhelming majority of the guests, this was their first brush with the grandeur and razzmatazz of a Rashtrapati Bhawan ceremony. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was kind enough to arrange seating facilities for all my guests, Justice Kant remarked.Monday’s was the biggest-ever gathering of guests of a CJI at his oath ceremony and a testament to how relationships built in the hinterland decades ago stand the test of time.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpectacular Tribute: 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Marked with Light-&-Sound ShowSecond Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom Tribute Marked with Devotion in Punjab“Indian market offers smooth trade opportunities,” says ASSOCHAM Secretary‘Why? Why? Why?’ Mamata Slams EC, Flags ‘Unusual & Alarming’ Moves Ahead of Bengal Polls’Doesn’t Deserve LoP Post’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For Missing CJI Surya Kant’s Oath CeremonyAs Pakistan Halts Afghan Transit, Kabul Boosts India Partnership And Fast-Tracks The Chabahar RouteIndia’s Soft Power Rises As Jaishankar Expands Global Gita Mahotsav, Kurukshetra Festival OutreachPunjab: Anandpur Sahib Hosts 3-Day Tribute on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom Year’They Said Arunachal Is China’: Indian Woman Alleges Harassment After Passport Rejection In ShanghaiRajnath Says India Followed Krishna’s Message In Operation Sindoor After Pakistan Misread Decency123PhotostoriesBollywood dramas where a vanished kid storms back as an adult and blows open buried family secretsExpert-approved 4 foods you should never eat on an empty stomachHow to make Paneer stuffed Beetroot Paratha for breakfastHow 1 cup of this drink before bed can help burn belly fat in 30 days and how one can make it at homeDharmendra’s demise: From Krushna Abhishek, Karan Kundrra to Ankita Lokhande; TV celebs pay an emotional tribute to the legendary actorStruggling with fatty liver? 5 Ayurveda-approved food habits to improve liver healthSpeculation to confirmation: Sonam Kapoor’s second pregnancy becomes a masterclass in maternity fashionDisha Patani to Ananya Panday: The most talked-about fashion moments of the dayPlanning 2026 travels? 10 trending destinations in pictures to inspire youThanksgiving side dishes: 5 easy recipes to try this year123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeChennai rainGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingLeBron James WifeJoe BurrowShedeur SandersNHL Trade RumorsKirill MarchenkoJa MorantBrad MarchandTyson FuryDrake LondonDenver Nuggets vs Memphis Grizzlies
NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu Monday administered the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the 53rd since the country became a Republic and the first from Haryana. Kant took oath in the name of God in presence of PM Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues, Vice-President and Supreme Court and high court judges.CJI Kant’s 235-strong guest list for the oath ceremony mirrored his endeavour to cherish the relationships he’s nurtured since his days as an adolescent. Many nonagenarians and octogenarians who had watched him play as a boy on the dusty tracks of Petwar, a remote village in Hisar district, along with some of those who taught him in school and college, were part of the guest entourage that trotted into the dazzling Ashoka Hall to watch him being appointed the head of India’s judiciary.Also present was outgoing CJI B R Gavai. Two eminent persons from Kant’s home state – CM Naib Singh Saini and former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar – were seated in the front row.Justice Gavai gave his successor a warm hug after the oath ceremony. Though Justice Gavai had travelled to Rashtrapati Bhavan in CJI’s official vehicle, he returned home in a car provided by Rashtrapati Bhavan.Usha Dahiya, now 85, had taught Justice Kant English in undergraduate course at Govt College, Hisar. Incidentally, Hisar was the first town he ever visited. Also among Justice Kant’s guests were two professors – Ranvir Singh, the founding vice-chancellor of National Law University Delhi (NLUD) and K P S Mahalwar, who teaches at NLUD – who taught him law when he was a student of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He got his law degree in 1984. Justice Kant touched the feet of his elders and teachers both before and after taking the oath.Kant’s parents are no more, but his nonagenarian father-in-law and octogenarian mother-in-law were present on the occasion. Also in attendance were scores of his late father’s friends, eager to share the proud moment for their ‘boy’ at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His childhood friends, and relatives swelled the numbers.It hardly needs to be pointed out that for an overwhelming majority of the guests, this was their first brush with the grandeur and razzmatazz of a Rashtrapati Bhawan ceremony. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was kind enough to arrange seating facilities for all my guests, Justice Kant remarked.Monday’s was the biggest-ever gathering of guests of a CJI at his oath ceremony and a testament to how relationships built in the hinterland decades ago stand the test of time.
