Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has intensified preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit to Vijayawada on October 14 and 15, with Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, directing officials to ensure comprehensive security, interdepartmental coordination and strict adherence to the prescribed itinerary.
Sai Prasad reviewed the arrangements during a virtual coordination meeting with senior officials on Monday. He instructed departments to follow the protocol guidelines issued by the President’s Secretariat and ensure that all scheduled engagements are conducted without delays or administrative lapses.
The President’s visit will include prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri hill during the ongoing Sharad Navaratri festivities, followed by her participation in the National SARAS Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat on October 15.
The mela, organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, will showcase products made by women associated with rural self-help groups from across the country.
President’s Vijayawada Visit: Key Schedule
According to the draft itinerary presented during the review meeting, President Murmu’s engagements are scheduled as follows:
- October 14, 3:55 pm: Departure from New Delhi.
- October 14, 6:25 pm: Arrival at Gannavaram Airport near Vijayawada.
- October 14, 7:20 pm–7:40 pm: Scheduled prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri hill.
- October 15, 11:30 am: Arrival at Punnami Ghat to attend the National SARAS Mela as chief guest.
- October 15, 11:30 am–1 pm: Scheduled participation in the mela’s inaugural programme.
- October 15, 1:10 pm–2:10 pm: Interaction and luncheon with self-help group members and Lakhpati Didis.
- October 15, 2:45 pm: Scheduled arrival at Gannavaram Airport for the return journey to New Delhi.
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The timings form part of the draft itinerary outlined during the officials’ meeting.
National SARAS Mela to Showcase Women-Led Rural Enterprises
President Murmu’s participation in the National SARAS Mela is a key component of her Vijayawada visit.
Scheduled from October 13 to 31 at Punnami Ghat, the 2026 edition brings the national event to Vijayawada for the first time outside the Delhi-NCR region. More than 1,500 women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from over 30 States and Union Territories are expected to participate.
The event will provide a platform for rural women entrepreneurs to display and sell products, including traditional crafts, handloom items and regional goods. It is intended to connect self-help group enterprises with wider markets and support rural livelihoods.
The President is also scheduled to meet members of self-help groups and Lakhpati Didis during a luncheon on October 15.
Senior Officials Review Departmental Preparedness
The coordination meeting was attended by senior officials involved in the arrangements for the visit, including Additional Director General of Police Madhusudan Reddy, Principal Secretary for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Kanthilal Dande, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Chief Executive Officer Karuna, NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha and Information and Public Relations Director K S Viswanadhan.
V K Seena Naik, Executive Officer of the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, also participated in the meeting, alongside other officials.
The state government has directed the departments concerned to coordinate their preparations and ensure that the President’s scheduled engagements proceed in accordance with protocol.
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