Pranab Mukherjee arrives in Shimla on five-day visit

President reached by a special helicopter of IAF at Kalayani Helipad in Chharabra area, about 10 kilometers from Shimla

President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Shimla on a five-day visit to Himachal Pradesh on Thursday.

He reached by a special helicopter of the Indian Air Force at Kalayani Helipad in Chharabra area, about 10 kilometers from Shimla.

Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh welcomed the President.

State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anil Sharma was attached as minister in waiting with the President.

Senior officers from the military, police and administration were also present at helipad.

From helipad, President Mukherjee directly drove to his official residence in Shimla, the Retreat, where he would stay till June 6.

During the five-day tour, the President will address the Golden Jubilee Convocation of Indira Gandhi Medical College.

The Governor will host a cultural programme and banquet in honour of the President.

President Mukherjee will host a reception for senior dignitaries of the state, ministers, officials and journalists.

The Retreat is part of the Presidents Estate and is located in a picturesque surrounding, thousand feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top.

Originally constructed in 1850, it was taken over by the then Viceroy in 1895.