The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : President arrives in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 09, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

President arrives in city

Staff Reporter

Governor, Chief Minister and others receive Kalam at airport

HYDERABAD: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrived here late on Thursday in the Presidential aircraft to a warm welcome, about two-and-half hours behind schedule.

Among those present at Begumpet Airport to welcome Dr. Kalam were Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, Ministers Mohd. Ali Shabbir (Information), K. Jana Reddy (Home), Advisor to Chief Minister K.V.P. Ramchander and nominated MLA Christine Lazarus, among others.

As the President walked into the specially-erected pandal, four-year-old Poojitha from Punganur in Chittoor district welcomed him saying "Good evening grandpa," to which he reciprocated with a breezy "How are you, baby? What's your name?" and a pat on her cheek.

The little girl is the granddaughter of Sumathi Mohan, Rangareddy district Congress president.

Officials present at the reception included Chief Secretary T.K. Dewan, DGP Swaranjit Sen, City Police Commissioner A.K. Mohanty and Hyderabad District Collector R. Chandravadan.

Senior officers from the armed forces included Rear Admiral H.S. Malhi, Group Captain S.M. Adyanthaya and Lt. Gen. Arvind Mahajan.

After the reception, Dr. Kalam drove to Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

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