Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Kovalam plays host to the President

Thiruvananthapuram: Kovalam played host to the first citizen of the country, Pratibha Patil, on Thursday evening.

Ms. Patil, who arrived at the Government Guest House situated atop the rocky promontory extending into the Arabian Sea, along with her husband, Devisingh Shekhawat, at 4.30 p.m. was greeted by Sanjay Kaul, Director, Kerala Tourism.

Secretary to the President, Christy Fernandes, and 38 others were part of her entourage. Ms. Patil and Mr. Shekhawat were led to Suite I of the Guest House immediately after their arrival.

Ms. Fernandes, Mr. Kaul, Minister for Health P.K. Sreemathy, Liaison officer for the visit Usha Titus and State Protocol Officer Sreekumar were in the adjoining Suite II.

Ms. Patil got a scintillating view of the crescent-shaped Light House and Eve’s beaches, tourists indulging in water sports and sun-bathing and fishermen out at sea.

The weather was also pleasant for the maiden visit of the first citizen to Kovalam. Those accompanying the President were put up in the other eight rooms of the guest house that were renovated recently. All rooms in the guest house offer sweeping views of the sea.

An elaborate menu was laid out for the President by the Guest House authorities in the suite. Pomegranate juice, assorted fruits, grilled masala cheese toast, sandwiches, vegetable spring rolls, assorted pakodas, assorted cookies, ‘elayada,’ vada and cashew nuts figured on the menu. Guest House Manager R. Vijayan said the President appreciated the ‘elayada.’ The dishes were prepared by five chefs.

After spending more than an hour at the Guest House, Ms. Patil and her entourage left for the Grove beach.

The beach is one of the less crowded places in Kovalam. The President and the VVIPs spent time on the beach till 6.50 p.m. and later returned to the Raj Bhavan.

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