Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, who arrived here on a five-day visit to the State, unveiled a statue of Santali writer and educator Pandit Raghunath Murmu in Niladri Vihar of Bhubaneswar.
Soon after arriving here at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, the President directly visited Niladri Vihar to unveil the statue of Pandit Murmu, a noted educator from Mayurbhanj district.
On arrival at Niladri Vihar Minister Surjyabanshi Suraj, Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi greeted the President Shrimati Murmu.
Shrimati Murmu also offered prayers at the Adim Owar Jarpa Jaher, a sacred place for Santals, in the Niladri Vihar of the capital city. She also spent some time in the garden there and has a chat with her friends and close persons.
The President was accorded a warm welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), where she landed on a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). She was received at the airport by Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries.
People standing on both sides of the roads from the airport to the Niladri Vihar area in the city welcomed the ‘daughter of the soil’. She will spend the night at the Raj Bhavan here.
During her Odisha tour, she will visit Khurda, Puri and Mayurbhanj districts for various programmes.
On December 4, the President will make darshan and puja at Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri. She will also grace the 75th anniversary celebration of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Puri. On the same day, she will attend the Navy Day celebration and operational demonstration at the Puri Blue Flag Beach.
She will grace the 40th convocation of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here on December 5. On the same day, she will also inaugurate the new Judicial Court Complex in Bhubaneswar.
On December 6, Shrimati Murmu will visit her native place Uparbeda, interact with students and villagers. On the same day, she will also interact with students and teachers of Mahila Mahavidyalaya at Rairangpur.
On the last day of her visit, the President will lay foundation stones/inaugurate various projects including Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani; Buramara-Chakulia; and Badampahar-Kendujhargarh Rail Lines; Tribal Research and Development Centre, Rairangpur; Dandbose Airport, Rairangpur and Sub-Divisional Hospital, Rairangpur.