Kalam to visit Champaner-Pavagadh on Nov 11

Vadodara, Oct 20: President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam will visit Champaner-Pavagarh, a World Heritage Site in Gujarat's Panchmahals district, and also dedicate to the nation the unique ''Jyoti Gram'' scheme of the state government on November 11.

According to Home Minister Amit Saha, the president had accepted the invitation of the state government to visit Champaner-Pavagadh, the medieval capital of Gujarat, as the state was celebrating 2006 as Tourism Year. UNESCO had awarded World Heritage Site status to Champaner-Pavagadh in 2004.

Though the Gujarat government had earlier planned to kick start the year-long programme from Champaner-Pavagadh on January 1, it was postponed because of the pressing engagement of the president.

The state tourism department in association with the Heritage Trust would organise an exhibition before the majestic Jama Masjid where the president is also scheduled to dedicate state-owned Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL)'s Jyoti Gram scheme to the nation.

According the GUVNL sources, the scheme, first of its kind in the country to be launched in Gujarat in September, 2003, had ensured 24 hours three-phase quality power supply to all the 18065 villages in the state. Details of the president's itinerary was being worked out, official sources said.

UNI