IEP Amritsar/Chandigarh, March 9
President Droupadi Murmu, during her day-long visit to the holy city of Amritsar on Thursday, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Ram Tirath Sthal, besides paying tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
Tight security arrangements were made in the city for the President’s day-long visit, while Amritsar was also declared a no-fly zone for over four hours.
On reaching Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport in the afternoon, President Murmu received a warm welcome from the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Union Minister Som Prakash, Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla, among other dignitaries.
Welcoming the President during her visit to Punjab, Chief Minister Mann apprised her that this is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and prophets; and “Punjab is the cradle of civilization and inherits a rich culture which can be observed only by visiting this pious land”.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that during her visit, the President will have a feel of the state’s glorious cultural heritage besides enjoying the warm hospitality of the Punjabis. “It is a momentous occasion for all of us and entire Punjab is giving a red carpet welcome to the country’s President during her visit to the state. The State Government is honored to welcome the country’s President on this blessed land,” he said.
The Chief Minister accompanied the President to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Mandir, and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath.
On her first visit to the city after becoming the President, Murmu was accompanied by Chief Minister Mann and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami at the Golden Temple — taking rounds of the ‘parikrama’ under the tight security cover before offering prayers at the sanctum sanctorum. She also offered ‘karah parshad’ and sat for a few minutes for the gurbani-kirtan.
After paying obeisance, she went to the “langar hall” (community kitchen), and partook langar while sitting on the floor. She also visited the area where utensils are washed.
Afterward, she went to the Information Centre of the Golden Temple where she was presented a robe of honour, a set of Sikh religious books, a replica of the Golden Temple, and a set of woolen shawls.
In the visitor’s book at the Golden Temple, the President wrote, “I am happy to visit Sri Harmandar Sahib and pay obeisance at the holy temple. This holy place with beautiful architecture and divine serenity around it evokes feelings of calmness and harmony. I prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. It was great to see the volunteers working tirelessly in the spirit of service and devotion specially during Langar. May the teachings of Sikh Gurus continue to inspire us to practice brotherhood and unity”.
