President to Visit Maharashtra From May 31–June 1

Report by Santanu Ganguly: Indian president Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Mumbai on May 31, 2013 on a two day visit to Maharashtra.

In Mumbai, President Mukherjee will be the chief guest at a commemorative function to mark the historic voyage of Swami Vivekanada to Chicago from the Bombay (Mumbai) port to attend the Parliament of World Religions. On May 31, 1893 Swamiji had set sail aboard S S Peninsular, from the place, where Gateway of India was later built in 1924. It was at this congregation that Swami Vivekananda had delivered his famous address ‘sisters and brothers of America’ that took the western world by storm. The commemorative event has been organized by the Ramakrishna Mission, Mumbai.

Later, in the afternoon, the President will travel to Pune and attend the Convocation of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT at Girinagar and deliver the key-note address. DIAT is a deemed university, funded by the Defence Research & Development Organization, DRDO, for offering defence related studies and research projects. A total of 91 students, scientists and services officers will be awarded M.Tech, Ph.D and M.S. research degrees at the ceremony.

On Saturday, June 1, the President will attend the Valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee of Dayanand Education Society at Latur. He will also visit Shree Sai Baba Mandir at Shirdi on the same day.