President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Kolkata for 2-day Bengal visit

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in West Bengal on Monday on her maiden visit to the state. The President was offered Guard of Honour at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata following her arrival. State minister & Mayor Firhad Hakim and two other ministers received her at the airport. She arrived at the city at around 11.55 am.

Governor C V Ananda Bose and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the President at Kolkata Racecourse where the President reached by helicopter. Banerjee welcomed her with a flower bouquet and a traditional shawl.

The President went to Netaji Bhawan, residence of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, on Elgin Road. Netaji Kin Sumanta Bose received her. The President was accompanied by Governor C V Ananda Bose to Netaji Bhawan. The

state senior minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was also present.

The President was shown Netaji's car, which was used in his "Great Escape", at the entrance of Netaji's residence.
She also visited Netaji's study room and had a look at the exhibits and photos exhibited at his residence. Netaji Bhawan currently functions as the headquarters of Netaji Research Bureau.

In 2017, former President late Pranab Mukherjee had unveiled the iconic German Wanderer sedan, which Netaji had used during the famous 'Great Escape' from his Elgin Road residence. The car, owned by Subhas Chandra Bose, was restored to its 1941 look by automobile giant Audi with the initiative of Netaji Research Bureau.

From Netaji Bhawan, the President went to Thakurbari, Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home at Jorasanko, in the city on Monday afternoon. She will reach Raj Bhawan after the visit for lunch.
The West Bengal government will host a civic reception in her honour at the Netaji Indoor Stadium tomorrow in the presence of Governor CV Ananda Bose and WB CM Mamata Banerjee. Industrialists, sports personalities and dignitaries from various cultural fields will be present at the programme. A cultural programme will also be organized.

A dinner has been hosted by the Governor at Raj Bhawan today.