The words ‘customary’ , ‘ceremonial’ and ‘ritual’ are employed to describe the addresses of the President of India to our Parliament at its opening sessions each year and, likewise, to characterise those of Governors when they address the Legislative Assemblies in their State capitals.
India being the land of largely unquestioned custom, ceremonials and rituals, these addresses of the Head of State have also become part of the life of our polity. The President of India and Governor arrive with ‘due’ fanfare, perform the ceremony of which the officiating ‘priest’ is the Speaker or Chairman, and depart feeling greatly relieved that it is over.
Editorial | The real travesty: On the Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Governor’s address
