Puri: Former President Ramnath Kovind is scheduled to arrive at Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri on Saturday evening. He is slated to offer prayers at Shree Jagannath Temple during his visit to the seaside pilgrim town, official sources said.
Before his Puri visit, Kovind attended the convocation of a private university in Bhubaneswar where he announced that the first meeting of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ committee to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats will be held on September 23.
“The first meeting will take place on September 23,” Kovind told the media.
The eight-member committee headed by Kovind is to make recommendations keeping in view the existing framework under the Constitution of India and other statutory provisions.
Soon after arrival in Puri town, the former President will proceed to Raj Bhavan for a brief halt. Thereafter, Kovind will leave for the Shree Jagannath Temple for darshan of the sibling deities inside the 12th century shrine.
After paying obeisance to the Lords inside the temple, the former President will spend some time at Raj Bhavan before returning to Bhubaneswar in the night.
In view of the visit of the former President, security has been tightened in the town and around 15 platoons of police force have been deployed, Puri Superintendent of Police Vishal Singh said.
Special traffic arrangements have also been made for hassle-free movement of vehicles during Kovind’s visit.
Meanwhile, Indian cricketer Chetan Sakariya also visited Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri along with his grandparents and offered prayers inside the shrine.
Chetan said he is fortunate to get an opportunity to visit Puri for darshan of Lord Jagannath as the holy town is one of the four most sacred ‘dhams’ for the Hindus.
Stating that he sought the blessings of the Lords for a successful career in cricket, he said he prayed for India’s victory in all important matches.
