Chennai : President Ram Nath Kovind arrived
here this afternoon on on a five-day visit to Tamil Nadu.
Mr Kovind, who arrived by a special IAF aircraft from
Delhi, was received at the airport by Governor Banwarilal
Purohit, Chief Minister M K Stalin, Ministers, Assembly
Speaker M Appavu, MPs, representatives of three defence
services, the Chief Secretary, State DGP, Chennai City
Police Commissioner and other officials.
After the brief reception, Mr Kovind proceeded to Raj
Bhavan for lunch.
At 1700 hrs, Mr Kovind will participate in the commemoration
of centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Legislature and
unveil a portrait of former Cief Minister M Karunanidhi in the
Legislative Assembly premises.
After the hour-long function, Mr Kovind will leave for Raj Bhavan
for an overnight stay.
Tomorrow, he will leave for Sulur Airfield in Nilgiris district from
where he would reach Raj Bhavan at Ooty by a helicopter.
On August four, the President will attend an event at the
Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
On August five he was expected to visit some popular tourist
spots in Ooty and would leave for Chennai on August six en
route Delhi.
More than 5,000 police personnel, including commando forces
were deployed on security duty in view of the President’s visit,
police sources said.
With the Independence Day celebrations slated for August 15,
a five-tier security arrangements have been put in place across
the state and entry of visitors were banned in the airport.
UNI
