Pranab would then return to Rashtrapati Bhawan, but instead of the main building he would be spending the next couple of months in the guest house, as the living quarters at Rashtrapati Bhawan are expected to undergo renovations for the next president.
It is learnt that in the next few days after being sworn in, President Pranab is likely to meet a number of important persons which may fall under 'non customary duty' and may include legal luminaries, social activists and even Nobel awardees like Amartya Sen.
There is also speculation that a Cabinet reshuffle may be in the pipeline before the monsoon session of parliament begins on August 8. The buzz is that Rahul Gandhi may be inducted as a minister in Manmohan Singh's government. If that happens, then one of the important tasks for Pranab would be to swear in Rahul as a minister, at the outset of his innings as a president.
It is interesting that in an interview last year, Pranab had said clearly, "It is unlikely that I would be a minister in Rahul Gandhi's government".
Prophetic words which have come more than true!
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