President Mukherjee begins Odisha visit
President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday arrived here on his first visit to Odisha after assuming the nation's highest post, a state official said.

He was given a warm welcome at the Biju Patnaik Airport here by state Governor S.C. Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and by senior state functionaries.

The president will attend the 45th convocation of state-run Utkal University here and visit the Jagannath temple in Puri, 56 km from here Thursday before leaving for New Delhi.

A special palm leaf umbrella will be used to provide shade to the president in the temple complex, a temple official said.