Security beefed up for President's visit tomorrow

Tirupati, July 5 (UNI) Security has been stepped up in the temple town and Tirumala hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara in view of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's two-day visit.

After arriving at the Renigunta airport by a special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft at 1715 hrs tomorrow, the President will reach Tirumala at 1805 hrs, where she would stay overnight at the high security Padmavathi guest house.

The President would participate in the pre-dawn 'Archana seva' rituals to the presiding deity of the temple between 0430 hrs and 0500 hrs on July 7 and later launch the satellite Sri Venkateswara Bakthi channel, funded by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams in front of the Balaji temple.

After a five and half an hour programme at the hill top, she will return to Tirupati and unveil the pylon as mark of TTDs Amruthotisavam at Alipiri and inaugurate the Sri Venkateswara Oriental College building.

She will also open the Tirumala temple jewellery exhibition near the TTD administrative building and inaugurate the four-day TTDs diamond jubilee celebrations at Mahati auditorium and participate in the first convocation of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences also at the Mahati auditorium.

Later, the President will proceed to Renigunta airport from where she will leave for Mumbai around 1335 hrs by a special IAF aircraft.

Combing operations in the dense Tirumala forests and both the ghat roads were intensified. Bomb disposal squads, anti-sabotage teams and Rapid Action Force were being deployed, a top police official here said.

UNI KNR ROY Mir CS2126