Warm welcome given to President Pratibha Patil in MP

Indore, Jun 27 (UNI) A hearty welcome was accorded to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on her arrival here today on a four-day official visit to Madhya Pradesh.

Arriving by a special IAF aircraft from Mumbai, Governor Balram Jakhar, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others welcomed her. From the airport, she drove straight to the Circuit House 'Residency Kothi'.

Besides Indore, she will be visiting Ujjain, Bhopal and Gwalior during her maiden visit to the BJP-ruled state after assuming the highest office nearly an year ago.

Ms Patil is scheduled to halt here for the night after attending two functions to mark inauguration of Choitram Netralaya and the Media Bhavan of Indore's Devi Ahilya University.

The President will visit Ujjain tomorrow where she will offer prayers at the Mahakal temple and also pay a courtesy visit to her brother's house.

On her return to Indore same day afternoon, she would attend a programme of Madhya Bharat Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and Indore Paraspar Sahakari Bank.

The President will arrive in the state capital on June 29 to formally inaugurate the new building of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University and also the Advanced Research and Development Centre of People's Group of Educational Institutions.

On the same day, she will launch the state government's 'Usha Kiran Yojana' to give assistance to those facing domestic violence.

On June 30, Ms Patil will visit Gwalior, where she will attend the golden jubilee function of Madhav Institute of Technology and Science. From Gwalior, she will return to New Delhi.

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