President opens Intenational indoor stadium at Puttaparti

Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 22: President A P J Abdul Kalam today arrived at Puttaparti to participate in the 81st birthday celebrations of Sri Satya Sai Baba and the convocation of Satya Sai Deemed University.

The President arrived in a special aircraft this afternoon and inaugurated the Satya Sai Indoor Stadium in the presence of Sri Satya Sai Baba.

The complex was constructed with all modern sports amenities at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

The President will halt for the night at the guest house of Prashanti Nilayam. He will participate in the birthday celebrations at Kulwant Hall tomorrow morning and leave for New Delhi at 0900 hrs.

Tight security arrangements have been made for the celebrations following the visit of the President and other dignitaries including the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Thousands of devotees have gathered in Puttaparti for a darshan of Sri Sai Baba. Hundreds of armed police personnel were posted at Puttaparti and every visitor being thoroughly checked.

Following warnings by intelligence agencies, the police had even conducted door-to-door search.

UNI