25 years after Vajpayee’s visit, Kumarakom set to host President Murmu

Kumarakom: With President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to arrive at Kumarakom on Thursday evening, Kottayam is all set to welcome yet another Indian President. Pratibha Patil was the first Indian President to visit the region, arriving with her family on August 11, 2010. Being the destination of choice for both women Presidents of India is expected to further elevate Kumarakom’s position on the country’s tourism map. The region had earlier hosted bureaucratic-level conferences in connection with the G20 Summit in India and welcomed representatives from several countries during that period.

Change in school timings
The Deputy Director of Education (DDE) has announced a change in school timings on Thursday and Friday. As per the revised schedule, all schools in the district must close before 3 pm on Thursday, and classes should begin before 8.30 am on Friday.

Security arrangements
Pala, Kottayam and Kumarakom have come under a thick blanket of security. Barricades are being installed on both sides of the route to be taken by the President, and the works have reached their final stage. A trial run of the President’s convoy from Kottayam to Kumarakom has already been completed. Trial helicopter landings were also conducted at the Police Parade Ground in Kottayam and at St Thomas College Ground in Pala.

Travel route
On Thursday, the President will return by helicopter from the St Thomas College Ground in Pala at 5.10 pm and land at the Police Parade Ground in Kottayam. From there, the motorcade will proceed via Logos Junction, Sasthri Road, Kurian Uthup Road, Caesar’s Junction and Baker Junction to enter the Kottayam–Kumarakom Road and reach the Taj Gateway. On Friday, the President will take the same route to return to Kottayam, from where she will board a helicopter at the Police Parade Ground to Kochi at 11 am.

Ban on drones
As part of aviation security arrangements for the President’s visit, the District Collector has imposed a 24-hour ban on flying choppers, drones and microlight aircraft at various locations across the district, effective from 12 noon on Thursday. The ban applies to the premises of the Police Parade Ground in Kottayam, St Thomas College Ground in Pala, Pala Municipal Stadium, CMS College Ground in Kottayam, Kottayam Nehru Stadium and the Taj Hotel in Kumarakom. The restriction also extends to flying zones near other helipads in the district.

Vajpayee’s visit was a turning point
It was the visit of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that turned the fate of Kumarakom, putting it firmly on the tourism map. President Murmu’s visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of that historic visit. Vajpayee had arrived in Kumarakom on December 26, 2000 and stayed until January 1, 2001.

During his brief stay, Kumarakom virtually turned into the nation’s temporary capital, with elaborate security arrangements in place throughout the area. Over the years, several other global dignitaries, including Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Britain’s Prince Charles, have also visited Kumarakom.

Room Number 24
President Murmu will be staying in Room No 24 at the Taj Gateway, which offers a panoramic view of the vast Vembanad Lake. Interestingly, both Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Pratibha Patil had stayed in Room No 18 during their visits. The President will be served traditional Kerala cuisine during her stay. Special instructions have been issued to prepare food without shallots, onions or garlic, and a new set of cooking vessels has been arranged exclusively for the purpose.