Vijayawada: President Droupadi Murmu received a warm welcome by AP Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy at Gannavaram airport on Sunday.

She arrived at Vijayawada on a two-day tour of Andhra Pradesh. This is her maiden visit to the Andhra Pradesh. President Murmu was felicitated by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Governor Bhiswabushan Harichandan at a civic reception in a resort in Poranki in Vijayawada.

The Governor presented the President a wood-carved statue of ‘Telugu Talli’ , Chief Minister presented a portrait of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his wife YS Bharati present a memento to President Murmu. Later, the President will inaugurate various projects of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways virtually.

After her felicitation at a civic reception hosted by the AP Government President Droupadi Murmu hailed the contribution of people from Andhra Pradesh towards the country’s development and she advised students to tread a fine balance between following traditions and embracing the modern world.

People of Andhra Pradesh have enhanced the country’s reputation in science and technology, especially information technology. The Telugu diaspora has an influencing role across the world, with majority of them being technology professionals, she said. She pointed out that AP was one of the states that had a sensitive outlook towards women.

She recalled freedom fighter Durgabai Deshmukh of the state who worked for the uplift of women and the role of Sarojini Naidu, daughter-in-law of AP, in the Salt Satyagraha. When I became Governor of Jharkhand, I always bore in mind the ideals set by Sarojini Naidu to continue to work in public service, she added.

The President quoted former president and distinguished scholar Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to commend the Telugu people’s “progressive and liberal” outlook towards women and their empowerment. She also noted that the people of AP must be feeling proud celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ as the national flag was designed by the son of the soil, Pingali Venkaiah.

The President made a mention of the Buddhist tradition of AP, the classical dance form Kuchipudi, and writer Molla whose Ramayana became famous by her name. She also referred to the Sriharikota High Altitude Range of ISRO which stood as a symbol of the scientific advancement of the state.

I am fortunate to be visiting the land of Balaji (Sri Venkateswara Swamy). I will pray to him for the welfare of the people of the country, she said. Presidentwill visit the holy hill shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy on Tirumala Hills on Monday.

Union Minister Kishan Reddy, High Court Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and other dignitaries attended the event. After the civic reception, the Governor hosted a banquet in the President’s honour at Raj Bhavan.