SHIMLA, Apr 27: Shimla is gearing up to welcome President Droupadi Murmu on her annual summer retreat at the historic Rashtrapati Niwas, The Retreat, in Chharabra.
In view of her visit, Rashtrapati Niwas will remain closed to public visitors from April 28 to May 12, 2025, as per a notification issued by the Estate Officer.
President Murmu is scheduled to arrive in Shimla on May 5 and will return to Delhi on May 9.
Ahead of her visit, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena chaired a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat, directing departments to ensure foolproof security, improve road conditions, and maintain uninterrupted water and electricity supplies.
Senior officials from the President’s Secretariat, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Himachal Pradesh Government participated in the meeting, with some joining virtually from Delhi.
Following the finalisation of the itinerary, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has stepped up security arrangements at The Retreat. Security has also been intensified at IIT Mandi and the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, both part of the President’s official programme.
During her stay, President Murmu will participate in several key events. On May 6, she will attend a program organised at the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla. On May 7, she will visit the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, and on May 8, she will travel to the Atal Tunnel Rohtang before returning to Delhi the next day.
Her visit to IIT Mandi would be of special significance as the institute celebrates 15 years of excellence in academics, research, and innovation.
President Murmu will grace the celebrations as the chief guest. Themed ’15 Years of Achievements CFA 2025′, the event will spotlight cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and entrepreneurship, with participation from global thought leaders and researchers.
The tradition of the President retreating to Shimla during the summer traces back to British rule when Shimla served as the summer capital.
Continuing this legacy, The Retreat, a mid-19th century wooden marvel set amidst lush cedar forests, now hosts the President’s summer sojourn.
Apart from the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the President of India has two additional official residences steeped in history – The Retreat at Chharabra and Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad, the latter originally built in 1860 as the country house of the British Resident.
President Murmu, accompanied by her family, would carry forward this historic tradition, blending official engagements with a refreshing Himalayan retreat.
(UNI)
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