President Kovind reached Shimla, welcomed by laying red carpet

President Ram Nath Kovind reached Shimla on Thursday with wife Savita Kovind and daughter Swati Kovind. Kovind, who came to Shimla on a four-day visit, will address a special session of the state assembly at 11 am on Friday. This address will be on the occasion of Golden Jubilee on completion of 50 years of full statehood of Himachal Pradesh.

The President landed at Andale helipad in Shimla in an Air Force helicopter after 12 o’clock on Thursday. He was warmly welcomed by the government by laying a red carpet here. He was given a guard of honour. He came by road to the Hotel Cecil in Chaura Maidan. President Kovind will stay here with wife and daughter.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur himself reached Anadel Maidan to welcome him. He was accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Minister-in-Waiting Suresh Bhardwaj, Municipal Corporation Shimla Mayor Satya Kaundal, Army Commander Artrac Lt Gen Raj Shukla, Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu, Secretary General Administration Devesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya. Negi, Superintendent of Police Monika Bhatungru etc. welcomed him at the Anadale helipad.

Jammer vehicles came from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab
Tight security arrangements have been made in Shimla on the arrival of the President. Security and intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch. The city is completely fortified. Tight security arrangements are also in place on the alternate road from Parwanoo to Shimla. In Shimla, jammer vehicles have been ordered from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab etc.

President will address the house for one hour
The President will reach the assembly premises at 10:45 am on Friday. Between 11 and 12 o’clock he will address the house for an hour in the presence of the Chief Minister, former Chief Ministers, Ministers, MLAs, MPs, former MPs, former MLAs etc. The President will be staying at the Cecil Hotel from 16 to 18 September. He will return to New Delhi on 19 September. Earlier in the year 2003, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and in the year 2014, Pranab Mukherjee has addressed the session of the Legislative Assembly as President.