The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, landed in Goa on Tuesday for a three-day visit, commencing her trip by honouring the martyrs at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Azad Maidan in the state capital, Panaji. The President was warmly welcomed at the Dabolim airport by Goa’s Governor, P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, among other esteemed attendees.
Marking the start of her tour, President Murmu, accompanied by the Governor and the Chief Minister, laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial in a sombre ceremony.
The day’s schedule also includes a civic reception in her honour at Raj Bhavan.
On the subsequent day, August 23, President Murmu is set to grace the convocation ceremony of Goa University at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan. Furthermore, in a gesture highlighting her commitment to the welfare of marginalised communities, she will engage in discussions with the representatives of the “vulnerable” tribal groups residing in the forests of the coastal state, as per an official statement.
In addition, the President is scheduled to address the state assembly on Wednesday, reinforcing the central government’s ties with the state.
On August 24, enriching her visit with glimpses of Goa’s rich history and culture, President Murmu plans to explore Fort Aguada, a relic from the seventeenth-century Portuguese era. Her itinerary also includes visits to the iconic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, a major attraction for both tourists and pilgrims, and the revered Shree Shantadurga temple located in South Goa.
