President Pratibha Patil has commenced her three-day visit in the state, today. The President, who arrived at the Cochin International Airport at 12:55 PM, reached at the Police Parade Ground here at 1:45 PM in a naval helicopter.
Ms. Patil was received by Governor R.S. Gavai and other representatives of the government machinery, Municipality and other bodies.
The President will inaugurate the Nehru Trophy boat race and attend other functions at Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and Alapuzha during her stay.
She was accompanied by husband Devi Singh Shekhawat, daughter Jyothi Rathore, son-in-law Jayesh, and granddaughter Vedika.
The President is scheduled to inaugurate the birth centenary celebrations of Saint Alphonsa in Bharananganam at 5:10 PM.
She is expected to fly to Thiruvanthapuram on Friday and return back to Kumarakom for scheduled functions. After inaugurating the Nehru Trophy boat race in Allapuzha on August 14, the President will fly back to New Delhi from Kochi.
