President Ram Nath Kovind visits friend's house in Kanpur, brings cake for his wedding anniversary

Before Ram Nath Kovind, former President APJ Abdul Kamal travelled on a special train from Delhi to Dehradun to attend the parade of the cadets of the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Published on: Jun 27, 2021, 10:56:52 IST

By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Amit Chaturvedi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

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President Ram Nath Kovind, who is in Kanpur, visited the house of his childhood friend KK Agarwal to meet him. The President is in Kanpur on a four-day visit during which he is meeting the members of his family and friends. Kovind boarded a train to reach Kanpur - first President to do so in the last 15 years. Kovind also visited his place of birth Paraunkh in Kanpur Dehat (rural).

President Ram Nath Kovind, during his train visit to Kanpur. (ANI Photo)

Also Read: ‘Moment of pride’, say railway employees involved in President Kovind’s train journey

The President invited representatives of local industries, educationists and other prominent personalities from Kanpur to the Circuit House where he is staying. But in case of Agarwal, the President decided to pay him a visit at him home.

A clothe merchant, Agarwal has not been keeping well for the past few weeks so the President decided to pay his old friend a visit at his home. He also took with him a cake to celebrate 51st wedding anniversary of Agarwal and his wife Veena. The President stayed at Agarwal's house for more than one hour.

Later, talking to the media, Agarwal said he is elated that the President paid him a visit. He said it reminded him of Lord Krishna visiting the house of his poor friend Sudama. And the special gesture of the President to carry a cake to celebrate his wedding anniversary made the occasion special.

The families of Agarwal and President Kovind have been friends for a very long time. The businessman from Kanpur visited the President House in Delhi when Kovind took oath of the highest office in the country.

This is Kovind's first visit to his native village in Kanpur after becoming the President in 2017. A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said the President decided to undertake a train journey to his native village "in line with the tradition of his predecessors".

Before Kovind, former President APJ Abdul Kamal travelled on a special train from Delhi to Dehradun to attend the parade of the cadets of the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

The country's President Rajendra Prasad used to undertake train journeys when he visited different places in the country.

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