SRINAGAR, Sept 26: President Pranab Mukherjee will arrive in Srinagar on Wednesday on a three-day visit during which he will attend the 18th convocation of the University of Kashmir besides reviewing the Dal Lake project.
Tight security has been put in place around the capital for Mukherjee’s visit, the first to Jammu and Kashmir after he took over the office of President on July 25 this year.
The highlight of Mukherjee’s visit would be the convocation of the University of Kashmir which is taking place after a gap of over three years. The previous convocation was held in June 2009 with Vice President Hamid Ansari in attendance.
Ahead of the President’s visit, an elated Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Talat Ahmed said it was an extreme honour to have the Head of State amongst the students and faculty members.
“It will be an extremely important visit and will give a boost to the academicians and faculty members besides exposure to students,” Ahmed was quoted as saying by PTI.
Ahmed said his attempt is to bring the Kashmir University under the national spotlight.
However, gold medalists and PhD awardees as less than happy after having been told by the university authorities that not all of them will get their awards from the President.
“We are disappointed, we have worked hard and it’s our right to go upto to the stage to receive our degrees,” on such awardee, Wasia Mushtaq said.
Governor NN Vohra will host a banquet for the President on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the President will review the Dal Lake Conservation Project and interact with a group of intellectuals and political leaders before returning to Delhi on Friday.
