Biden becomes the 46th President of USA, Indian-origin Kamala Harris sworn in as Vice President

Washington, January 20, 2021: Joe Biden became America’s 46th president on Wednesday between tight security arrangements. He was sworn in by the country’s Chief Justice John Roberts. Biden took the oath by laying his hands on his family’s 127-year-old Bible. 78-year-old Biden is America’s oldest president.

Kamala Harris, 56, of Indian origin, who was elected the first black vice-president, was sworn in by Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She is the 49th Vice President of the United States and the first female Vice President.

Donald Trump had left the White House before the ceremony, and Vice President Mike Pence led all the traditions in his absence.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former President George W. Bush and his wife Lara Bush, Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, Republican leader McCarthy, McConnell outgoing Vice President Mike Pence. Trump did not attend the ceremony and thus became the first US President after Andrew Johnson in 1869, who did not participate in his successor’s swearing-in ceremony.

Due to the fear of Coronavirus and violence from Trump supporters, the oath-taking ceremony was not organized with much enthusiasm. Earlier lakhs of people from all over the country used to attend the oath-taking ceremony, but only a limited number of people were allowed this time.

Over 25 thousand National Guards were deployed in the swearing-in ceremony’s security. Security personnel were patrolling the streets leading to the US Parliament. Large areas around Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House around the US Parliament House were already closed for the general public. Also, eight feet high barricades were installed to restrain unusual entry. The entire city was on high alert. Thousands of people attended the ceremony.