President opens Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun, meets visually impaired children on birthday

Dehradun, Jun 20 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Friday formally opened a renovated Presidential Retreat in Dehradun on her 67th birthday and addressed visually impaired children at a facility.

The president, who is on a three-day visit to Uttarakhand that began Thursday, also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public garden on the campus of the Presidential Retreat, now renamed Rashtrapati Niketan.

While she was at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) here, the president was moved to tears when a group of visually impaired children sang for her on her birthday.

The president said she got emotional as the children sang beautifully. "I could not hold back my tears. They were singing so beautifully. They were singing from their heart," she said.

The president said the talent possessed by the group reaffirmed her view that children born with disabilities are blessed with certain special abilities. She also encouraged them to move ahead with confidence, saying their success is certain.

Murmu asserted that government policies are designed to empower people with disabilities and provide them with equal opportunities for growth.

"The progress of a country or society can be judged by the way the people treat persons with disabilities in that society. She urged all to encourage the 'divyangjan' (persons with disabilities) in every sphere of life," she said. She commended everyone associated with the institute for working with dedication to empower children born with disabilities.

"India's history is full of instances of human kindness and inclusiveness," she said and asked the children to contribute to nation-building by getting empowered through education.

Addressing the children, Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) said the country is passing through a transformative phase.

"We are moving steadily towards achieving the vision of a strong India by 2047 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. You are an integral part of this journey of nation-building," the governor said.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wished the president a long and healthy life so that the country continues to get the advantage of her guidance.

"Her life has been full of struggles. Coming from a very humble background, she rose to positions of eminence and always worked for the uplift of the deprived sections," the chief minister said.

Later, Murmu inaugurated the Presidential Retreat in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Singh and CM Dhami.

Rashtrapati Niketan will be open to the public from July 1, offering a rare opportunity to experience a unique confluence of architecture, history, and landscape design in the heart of the city.

Known earlier as Rashtrapati Ashiana or the Presidential Retreat, Rashtrapati Niketan has a rich legacy dating back to 1838 when it served as a summer camp for the Governor General’s Bodyguard horses.

The bungalow on the site was constructed in 1920 for the unit's commandant, and in 1976, it was designated as the Presidential Retreat.

Located on Rajpur Road and spread across 237 acres, the estate comprises the main building, annexe, stables, a swimming pool, and flourishing orchards. A major renovation in 2016 introduced seismic retrofitting and the restoration of traditional water channels, ensuring the preservation of its historical essence.

The estate has undergone contemporary landscape transformation led by CP Kukreja Architects.

Notable additions include a horse arena that pays tribute to the site's equestrian legacy, a serene lily pond that enhances both ecological value and visual appeal, an open-air theatre for cultural and public events, a rockery pond envisioned as a naturalistic water garden, and a cafeteria nestled within the verdant campus to enrich the visitor experience.

These design interventions breathe new life into the historic estate, creating spaces that encourage reflection and community engagement while preserving its timeless and dignified character, the architects said.

Murmu also inaugurated Rashtrapati Tapovan which will be open for public viewing from June 24.

She also inaugurated public amenities, including a visitor facilitation centre, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop at the Rashtrapati Niketan.

The president arrived in Uttarakhand on Thursday on a three-day visit. She will leave for Delhi on June 21 after participating in a yoga demonstration programme at the Police Lines here on International Yoga Day. PTI ALM ALM SKY SKY