Prez Murmu begins 5-day MP visit, receives warm welcome in Indore
Indore, June 18
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Indore on Thursday morning on a five-day visit to Madhya Pradesh and was accorded a warm welcome at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Governor Mangubhai Patel and other senior leaders and officials.
"On behalf of all the people of the state, I extend a warm welcome to the Honourable President Droupadi Murmu to Madhya Pradesh - a sacred land of culture, values, and art," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav wrote on X.
The President's visit, scheduled from June 18 to 22, will take her to several districts of the state, where she will participate in programmes related to tribal welfare, public health, higher education, wildlife conservation and International Yoga Day.
Soon after arriving in Indore, President Murmu left for Betul, where she is slated to attend the programme "Empowerment of Tribal Society by Spiritual Awakening", organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya.
The event focuses on social upliftment and empowerment of tribal communities through spiritual and value-based initiatives.
Later in the day, the President will travel to Omkareshwar, one of the country's 12 revered Jyotirlingas, where she is scheduled to stay before participating in official engagements over the next two days.
On June 19, President Murmu will attend a programme organised on the occasion of International Sickle Cell Anaemia Day. The event assumes significance as Madhya Pradesh has a sizeable tribal population, among whom the disease remains a major public health concern.
The programme is expected to highlight awareness, screening and treatment initiatives undertaken by the government.
Following the event, she will leave for West Bengal before returning to Madhya Pradesh on June 20. The President will arrive in Jabalpur and, on June 21, participate in the state's International Yoga Day celebrations. She will also attend the 36th convocation ceremony of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur as the chief guest, where she is expected to address graduating students and faculty members. Thereafter, President Murmu will travel to Gwalior and proceed to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district.
On the final day of her visit, June 22, she is scheduled to visit the national park before returning to Gwalior and departing for New Delhi.
The visit is being viewed as significant as it combines engagements related to tribal welfare, healthcare, education, spirituality, environmental conservation and fitness, reflecting a broad spectrum of developmental and social priorities in Madhya Pradesh.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Warm welcome in Indore - that's the Indore we know! But honestly, why is the President visiting Kuno National Park? Are we trying to boost tourism there? Cheetahs are nice but there are bigger issues in MP like farmer distress and unemployment. The tribal welfare angle is good though. Let's hope the spiritual awakening program translates into actual economic development for tribal communities.
As an American following Indian politics, I'm impressed by how President Murmu balances tradition with modernity - starting at a Jyotirlinga temple and ending at a wildlife park. The focus on sickle cell anemia is particularly striking; in the US, we don't see our leaders engaging so directly with specific health issues. Hope this visit results in real policy changes for tribal communities.
Five days in MP is quite extensive for a President's visit. I appreciate the inclusion of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya convocation - empowering youth through education is key. But I'm a bit skeptical about the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris event. Spirituality is personal, but government events promoting specific organizations? That's a slippery slope. Nonetheless, glad to see our President engaging with diverse issues.
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga darshan - that's what makes India special. Our President, regardless of background, respects all faiths. The tribal welfare focus is timely given the recent debates on tribal land rights. Hope she raises these issues with the state government. MP's tribal population deserves better healthcare and education infrastructure beyond just photo opportunities. 🙏
J James A