President arrives in Bhopal

Bhopal, Jun 29 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who is on a four-day tour to Madhya Pradesh, was accorded a rousing welcome on her arrival here today.

Official sources said Ms Patil arrived from Indore by a special Indian Air Force plane at 0930 hrs.

The President was received at Raja Bhoj Airport by Governor Balram Jakhar, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Public Relations, Culture and Mineral Resources Minister Laxmikant Sharma, senior Army and administrative officers. She was given a guard of honour.

As per the schedule, Ms Patil left for Bhoj (Open) University in Kolar area where she would inaugurate the varsity's administrative and academic buildings. Next on the presidential agenda would be the inauguration of the People's Centre for Scientific Research and Development at Bhanpur.

From Bhanpur, Ms Patil would proceed towards the Raj Bhavan. At 1800 hrs, the President would inaugurate -- at Ravindra Bhavan -- the state government's Ushakiran Yojana aimed at making women self-reliant.

Governor Balram Jakhar and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would accompany Ms Patil in all the functions. Mr Chouhan would also host a lunch in her honour at his residence while Dr Jakhar would host a dinner at Raj Bhavan.

The President would leave for Gwalior at 0930 hrs on June 30 to take part in the Madhav Institute of Technology and Science's golden jubilee celebration at 1100 hrs. She would leave for New Delhi at 1700 hrs from Gwalior.

Ms Patil, who is on her maiden visit to Madhya Pradesh after assuming India's highest constitutional office, arrived at Indore on June 27. She visited Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple yesterday.

UNI PKJ-AC AE KP1048