Shimla: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil was accorded a rousing warm reception on her arrival here from Jammu and Kashmir.
Army contingents presented an impressive guard of honour on her visit to the state for the first time.
Governor VS Kokje, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the minister in waiting Narinder Bragta were there to receive the president at the Kalyani helipad that is exclusively used for presidential visits.
President Patil after getting to Chandigarh took a short chopper flight and reached her estate ‘The Retreat’ by 5.40 in the evening.
Meanwhile, municipal authorities were busy making preparations for hosting a civic reception for the president on Wednesday at The Ridge ground.
Heavy police has been deployed at all entry and exit points. District police chief RM Sharma said that about 1000 additional police personnel had been deployed in and around the city for security requirements. Barriers have been erected at all major and arterial road intersections.
At the same time preparations for receiving the President at Manali were also under away. President Patil is scheduled to visit Manali on May 29 and would return here the next day. On June 1 she returns to Delhi.
