President in J&K on 2-day visit

President Pranab Mukherjee Monday arrived here on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, members of the state cabinet, and senior civil and military officials received the president at the Jammu airport.

From the airport, the president drove to Jammu University, where he is the chief guest at its 14th convocation .

Vohra, who is the chancellor of the university, is presiding over the convocation while Omar Abdullah as the pro-vice chancellor is the guest of honour.

The president will award 68 PhDs and 65 gold medals in the convocation, being held after seven years.

The president will visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra town Tuesday where he will inaugurate the 'Shridhar Bhawan Elevator' and the Panchi Helipad.

The elevator will eliminate 127 steps on the trek from the Bhawan to the Shrine. It is meant for old and infirm devotees.

Panchi helipad, to be inaugurated Tuesday, will reduce the distance for the pilgrims by more than a kilometre.

After paying obeisance at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Tuesday, the president will leave for New Delhi.