President on 5-day tour to Assam, Meghalaya from today

New Delhi, Oct 19 : President Pratibha Patil will begin her five-day tour to Assam and Meghalaya from today.

In Guwahati, the President will present the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award to noted film personality Shabana Azmi and Journalist Shekhar Gupta today.

On Monday, she is scheduled to give away the Nirmal Gram Awards. Gram panchayats comprising from 13 states of the Eastern and North Eastern part of the country will receive these awards formally.

During her visit, President Patil will also address a meeting of the self-help groups. Besides, she will lay the foundation stone of the Tezpur Medical College, to be built by the Assam Government in Sonitpur district.

After spending three days in Assam, the President will proceed to Meghalaya on Wednesday, where she is expected to attend the centenary celebration of the Laban Bengali Girls Higher Secondary School.

The President will also inaugurate the Baljek Airport in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

Tight security arrangements have been made in view of her visit, said official sources.

ANI