By IANS
Jaipur : President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, on her first visit to Jaipur after assuming the highest office, was given a warm welcome here Sunday evening.
Patil was the governor of Rajasthan before she was elected president in July.
Patil will inaugurate the 12th World Lake Conference – Taal 2007 here Monday. She is expected to offer prayers at the Jeen Mata temple in Sikar and the Jamoa Mata temple in Jaipur before returning to Delhi.
She was accorded a ceremonial welcome after she arrived at the Sanganer airport by a special Indian Air Force aircraft at 5 p.m.
Governor S.K. Singh, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her cabinet colleagues along with senior state government officials were present at the airport to receive her.
A large number of people thronged either side of the road, waving in enthusiasm as Patil’s cavalcade passed on the way to the Raj Bhawan for her night stay.
A small stretch between Bais Godown Circle and Raj Bhawan was decorated with flowers.
Patil is considered “daughter-in-law” of the state as her in-laws hail from Choti Losal in Sikar district of Rajasthan.
About 150 women from Choti Losal had come to meet her.
“We were really happy to see our bahu (daughter-in-law) not forgetting us. She met us and talked to us freely,” said a woman from Choti Losal.
While thanking people of the state for their love and affection, Patil said, “I had spent over two and a half years as governor in the state. I have a strong affection for the state and I enjoyed being here.”