Shimla: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday will attend a banquet hosted by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at the Lok Bhavan as part of the official welcome itinerary for her ongoing summer visit to the hill state, an official said.
“During her five-day Shimla sojourn from April 27 to May 1, President Murmu will visit the Army Training Command in Shimla, and address the convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur,” an official said.
The President is staying at the Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra town of Shimla, where she reached on Monday.
On April 29, President Murmu will visit the Atal Tunnel and on April 30, the President will attend the convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya at Palampur.
On the same day, she will host an ‘At Home’ Reception at the Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra.
On May 1, the President will visit the Army Training Command in Shimla before leaving for Delhi.
The Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra opened its doors to the public in April 2023.
At present, the authorities provide a free bus service to tourists to the President’s summer retreat.
The Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Murmu’s two years in office on July 25, 2024.
The complimentary bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates from the lift parking at Mall Road in Shimla on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ajay Bhardwaj, a guide at the Presidential residence, said that visitors can explore the 174-year-old Rashtrapati Niwas, nature trails and other parts of the building, including its lawns and parks.
Constructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style, the Rashtrapati Niwas, previously known as the Retreat Building, is one of four existing presidential residences in India.
The other three are Rashtrapati Ashiana, a Presidential retreat in Dehradun; Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President, in New Delhi.
(IANS)
