President graces the inauguration of Tulip Garden at Mashobra Rashtrapati Niwas

Shimla (IANS) | President Draupadi Murmu on Tuesday graced the inauguration of the Tulip Garden at Rashtrapati Niwas, a 173-year-old heritage property located in the picturesque surroundings of Mashobra near Shimla. The Rashtrapati Niwas, earlier known as the Presidential Retreat, will be thrown open to the public from April 23, when visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of different types of tulips such as Strong Gold, Denmark, Wellemark, Jumbopink and Laptop.

Murmu took a tour of the Rashtrapati Niwas complex and inquired about other varieties of plants. The President was accompanied by Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu.

Nature trails and gardens at Rashtrapati Niwas will also be open for visitors from April 23.

Public tours can be booked online and offline, with slots available from 10am to 5pm.

The Rashtrapati Niwas Estate has a plinth area of 10,628 sq ft and comprises the main building, lawns, gardens and nature trails. The retreat is visited by the President every year during the summer.

This is the first time that the doors of the President’s residence have been opened to the public.

In the meantime, the COVID-19 situation will continue to be closely monitored based on recommendations from the government and other public health authorities, and reserves the right to adjust public tourism availability at a later date to comply with the latest health protocols, an official said in the statement. Will be safe

The President will interact with the officer trainees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts in Shimla on Wednesday. She will also attend the 26th Convocation of Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.

On Thursday, the President will visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla. Later, she will host an ‘At Home’ reception at the Rashtrapati Niwas.

–IANS