Southern Sojourn: President Murmu to visit Yadadri on Dec 29

Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu will be on a 3-day visit to Hyderabad from December 28 to 30. This visit is part of the annual southern sojourn.

President Murmu will stay at Rashtrapati Nilayam, her official retreat at Bolarum in Secunderabad Cantonment. This will be her first visit to Telangana after she assumed charge as President of India.

Telangana government, however, is tight-lipped on her visit.

According to the sources, she will be visiting Hyderabad on December 28 on a special flight. On December 29, there will likely be a meeting with government officials and representatives from various sectors.

On December 29, the President will visit Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and offer prayers. The temple was recently renovated with mesmerizing sculptures and structures.

A coordination meeting will be held with the Telangana police, Army, Cantonment officers, and security at Rashtrapati Nilayam to ensure tight security for her visit.

Practice since 1950

It has been a practice since 1950 for the President and family members to visit and stay in Rashtrapati Nilayam at the end of the year for 2-3 weeks. The President has two retreats, one in Shimla and the other in Hyderabad, where the Head of State conducts business at least once a year. Rashtrapati Nilayam was taken over from the Nizam after India attained independence and was handed over to the President's secretariat.

The building with 11 rooms was constructed in 1860 in a 90 acres area.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind visited Rashtrapati Nilayam three times in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his visits were called off in 2020 and 2021.