Dehradun: On the occasion of her 67th birthday, President Droupadi Murmu formally inaugurated the renovated Presidential Retreat in Dehradun, which has now been renamed as ‘Rashtrapati Niketan’. The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Spread across 237 acres on Rajpur Road, this historic estate will be opened to the public from July 1, offering a unique experience of architecture, history, and natural beauty. The estate’s legacy dates back to 1838, when it served as a summer camp for the horses of the Governor General’s Bodyguard. In 1920, a bungalow was built here for the Commandant of the unit, and in 1976, it was designated as the Presidential Retreat.

During the event, the President also laid the foundation stone for a grand 132-acre public garden named ‘Rashtrapati Udyan’, located within the Rashtrapati Niketan campus. Additionally, she inaugurated public amenities including a visitor facilitation center, a cafeteria, and a souvenir shop. She also unveiled ‘Rashtrapati Tapovan’, which will be opened to the public from June 24.

As part of her visit, President Murmu also went to the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), where she interacted with visually impaired children. During the visit, she became emotional when a group of children sang a heartfelt birthday song for her. With tears in her eyes, the President said, "I couldn’t hold back my tears. They were singing so beautifully — from the heart."

President Murmu is on a three-day visit to Uttarakhand, and her engagements reflect a meaningful blend of heritage conservation, public outreach, and compassion.

Himalayan Live Bureau

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