Holding out the promise of a "new beginning" in Indian politics, Arvind Kejriwal, who was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister today, said that in coming ten years India's "golden age" will be "restored".
"In coming ten years, the country will once again live up to its moniker of the golden bird (aane wale das saalon mein desh wapas sone ki chidiya kehlaiga)," Kejriwal said here.
In a stirring 20-minute speech Kejriwal, who was sworn in today as Chief Minister, asked the people, politicians and bureaucrats to "work together for a greater collective future of the country".
"People of Delhi will have to show it to the people that if we can come together, if all politicians come together and if all officials come together, then there is nothing that we cannot achieve," Kejriwal said drawing a resounding applause.
Wrapped in his usual 'aam aadmi' dress, , Kejriwal in his speech promised to the people a "corruption-free government" and "new style" of governance without "arrogance of power".
"Our aim was not to get power, to become CM or ministers but to hand the governance back into the hands of the people
Kejriwal asked his minsters and partymen to shun arrogance.
"We were born to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be careful that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us," he said.
Minutes after assuming the reins of power, the 45-year-old Magsaysay award-winner laid out a preliminary roadmap for his government in his speech before holding the first cabinet meet later.
