M Venkaiah Naidu takes oath as 15th Vice President of India, presides over Rajya Sabha as its new Chairman

Former Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu took oath as the Vice President of India at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The new VP later moved to Parliament, where he apid homage to Bhimrao Ambedkar before being felicitated in Rajya Sabha as its new chairman.

Naidu was elected as the next Vice President of India on Saturday as he received 516 out of electoral college of 785 votes during poll.

Kickstaring one of the most crucial days of his political llife, the VP-elect visited the Rajghat on Friday to pay homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. 

He also visited the memorials dedicated to Pandit Deen Dyal Upadhayay and Sardar vallabh Bhai Patel. Naidu will also pay special respects to Bhimrao Ambedkar inside Parlimentary premises. 

Also read | Vice President-elect Venkaiah Naidu says India is best model of secularism

Here are the LIVE UPDATES: 

#11:15 AM: 

Ghulam Nabi Azad recounted the sacrifices of 'rich' yet dedicated social servants who belonged to leading Opposition party, including Jawahar Lal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. It does not matter if a person came from rich or poor family, but what matters is how much they sacrificed in service of the people, Azad said in Rajya Sabha.

#11:00 AM: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha: Naidu is first VP born in independent India (Read full article here)

-Our new VP understands the problems of farmers, villagers

-It is for the first time that all top posts are held by those with humble beginnings'

- Naidu is first chairman of Rajya Sabha who has worked through the system and understand its nitty gritties

-Venkaiah ji knows the working of Rajya Sabha very well, being in the house for so long: PM Modi

#10:40 AM: PM Modi and VP Naidu reach Parliment for felicitation ceremony

#10:06 AM:  Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu takes oath to office, President Ram Nath Kovind presiding over the ceremony

#10:03 AM: President Ram Nath Kovind arrives

#9:55 AM: Dr.Manmohan Singh arrives for oath ceremony of M Venkaiah Naidu

Delhi: #VicePresident designate M Venkaiah Naidu pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Patel Chowk pic.twitter.com/iOMdq50glh

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017

Delhi: #VicePresident designate M Venkaiah Naidu pays tribute to Deen Dayal Upadhaya at DDU Park pic.twitter.com/lgxuiVP6IW

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017

Delhi: #VicePresident designate M Venkaiah Naidu visits Raj Ghat pic.twitter.com/LC5Lu25NZb

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017

Before assuming the office, Venkaiah said that India is best model of secularism. He added that despite having so many different languages and dressings, India is united as one nation. He added that unity in diversity is India's speciality.

Also read | Venkaiah Naidu: From student union to Vice President's office - a look at his journey