President Droupadi Murmu is visiting North Bengal for two days, starting today. This is her first visit to West Bengal since taking office as the President of India. Security across the region has been heightened for the occasion.
The President is scheduled to arrive at Bagdogra Airport, near Siliguri in Darjeeling district, on Friday afternoon. From there, she will proceed to the Governor’s House, now called Lok Bhavan, to inaugurate the Darjeeling Hill Festival. The festival celebrates the rich culture, art, and heritage of North Bengal and the hills.
One of the main attractions of the festival is “Roots and Rhythm,” an exhibition showcasing iconic artifacts from the historic Indian Museum. The festival is organised by Lok Bhavan in collaboration with major cultural institutions. Former Governor C.V. Ananda Bose had announced the programme on Lok Bhavan’s social media before resigning from his post, calling it a historic event for Darjeeling.
President Murmu will spend Friday night at Lok Bhavan. On Saturday, she will travel to Gossaipur, still in Darjeeling district, to attend the 9th International Santal Conference, organised by the International Santal Council. Originally planned for Bidhannagar, the event was moved to Gossaipur due to security reasons. From Gossaipur, she will also virtually inaugurate the Bidhannagar segment of the conference, which includes a tree plantation festival.
The International Santal Conference is held every year to discuss the welfare, cultural conservation, language preservation, and economic development of Santal communities. Experts from India and abroad are participating this year. The previous conference was organised in Assam.
President Murmu’s visit highlights her focus on cultural preservation and community development. Through the Darjeeling Hill Festival and the Santal Conference, she aims to promote the region’s heritage and the welfare of indigenous communities.
This two-day visit combines cultural celebration and community engagement, reflecting the President’s commitment to promoting India’s diverse traditions and supporting local development in North Bengal.
