Amritsar: President Ram Nath Kovind, who was
on his first visit to Punjab after assuming office, paid
obeisance at the Golden Temple here today.
Donning a black suit, President Kovind along with his
family members, paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the
Golden Temple amidst thick security blanket here.
Kovind was received by Punjab Cabinet ministers Rana
Gurjit Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu at the Sri Guru Ramdas
International Airport from Adampur near Jalandhar.
After reaching the Golden Temple, he was received by
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former deputy chief
minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister
Harsimart Kaur Badal besides SGPC president Kirapal Singh
Badungar.
Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore was also present with
the president.
Kovind took a round of the 'parikrama' (walk around the
marbled periphery) amidst thick security in the shape of human
chain provided by the Special Task Force of the SGPC and the
Punjab police before listening to the 'kirtan' (prayers) at
the Golden Temple.
He also took holy water from the 'sarovar' (holy tank).
Before paying obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum, he had
'Langar' (community meal) with other devotees.
Kovind also visited the Information Centre of the Golden
Temple where he was honoured by SGPC president Kirpal Singh
Badungar with a shawl, a set of Sikh religious books and a
replica of the temple.
Later, he visited the historic Jallianwalla Bagh where he
paid tributes to the martyrs who scarified their lives for the
freedom of the nation besides paying obeisance before the
'Amar Jyoti'.
He also paid obeisance at the Durgiana Temple here where
he was honored by the management committee of the temple.
The president earlier in the day presented the
prestigious President's Standard to the 223 Squadron and 117
Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a
ceremonial parade at the Adampur Air Force station.
