Prez leaves for Delhi after 10-day southern sojourn

President Pranab Mukherjee today left for New Delhi after a 10-day southern sojourn at the Rashtrapati Nilayam here, one of the Presidential retreats.
Common Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh E S L Narasimhan and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao saw off Mukherjee at the Hakimpet Air Force station.
During his sojourn, Mukherjee visited the famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Lord Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple at Yadadri in Telangana.
He also released a book titled 'Uniki' (existence), a compilation of articles penned by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.
The book release function was used by the president to suggest Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to live together in harmony, alluding to the differences between the two states formed by bifurcation of the composite Andhra Pradesh.

The President's comments came against the backdrop of tensions between the two states over different issues.

Mukherjee also inaugurated 'Nakshatra Vatika', a garden in the premises of the Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolaram.
The layout of 'Nakshatra Vatika' has been developed in various geometrical combinations corresponding to the Sree Chakra of Vedic astrology on a 0.91 acre plot.
The Rashtrapati Nilayam, where it is customary for the President of India to stay a few days every year, was taken over from the erstwhile princely ruler Nizam of Hyderabad after India attained independence and handed it over to the President's Secretariat.
Constructed in the 19th century, the building has a total land area of 90 acres.

The President visits the Rashtrapati Nilayam and stays there at least once a year and conducts official business from there.