President on 2 day visit to Jammu

The president of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, today arrived on her two day visit in Jammu at around 1900 hours at Jammu airport where she was given a rousing reception. The President who was accompanied by Dr Karan Singh, Chairman ICC proceeded towards Raj Bhawan from the airport for overnight stay. The winter capital has been put under a thick blanket of security with heavy deployment of policemen and para-military forces. Tight security arrangements have been made in and around the town.

Earlier, Governor, N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports,  R S Chib, Chief Secretary,  Madhav Lal, Director General Police,  Kuldeep Khoda and other senior civil and police officers received her at the airport. The president will deliver the Convocation address on the occasion of 3rd Convocation of SMVDU in Matrika Auditorium tomorrow at 10 am. Governor NN Vohra and Chancellor of SMVDU will preside over the Convocation. Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah will also be present on the occasion.

In the evening, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will present Dogra Rattan Award to Prof. Nilembar Dev Sharma, Dhan Raj Badgotra, S Rangil Singh, Heera Lal Verma, Prof. Reeta Jatinder, Sohail Kazmi, Jagdish Singh Jamwal and Satpaul Sahni (Posthumously), at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.

Eight distinguished persons have been conferred Dogra Rattan Award (2009-10) in view of their contribution towards promotion of Dogri language, culture and history by Dogra Rattan Awards Selection Committee comprising Prof. MR Puri chairman, Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Abdul Gani Goni, Prof. Champa Sharma, Prof. DL Choudhary, Balwant Tahkur with Jitendra Udhampuri as member- secretary and Prof. Bhim Singh, convenor. The Dogra Rattan Awards are being instituted by The Council for Promotion of Dogri Language, Culture and History

On November 26, president would chair the meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) at Katra and pay obeisance at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine.