Indian roots, US wings ( Photo 5 of 5 )

He recalled, "The last time I gave a speech to an audience wearing a robe was at my high school graduation where I was the commencement speaker, and the president said my speech was a rap. It seemed like a very fine idea at the time. I want this occasion to be truly memorable, but not that memorable. Besides I had a really hard time thinking of an appropriate rhyme for the word investiture."

To laughter, he said, "Candidly, but somewhat curiously, pedicure came to mind."