President Pratibha Patil leaves Orissa

President Pratibha Patil left for New Delhi from the Biju Patnaik Airport on Thursday after a three-day visit to Orissa.

President Pratibha Patil left for New Delhi from the Biju Patnaik Airport on Thursday after a three-day visit to Orissa. The President was seen off at the airport by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and senior officials, while Governor M C Bhandare accompanied Patil in her return journey.

HT Image

The President's departure was delayed by about 20 minutes due to slight foggy conditions in the morning, officials said. Earlier today, the President inaugurated a 'Cactus House'and planted a sapling in the Raj Bhavan complex, they said.

Patil's visit had caused some anxious moments last evening as the rotor blade of the MI-17 IAF helicopter carrying her and other dignitaries hit an abandoned structurewhile taxiing after landing at the airport here.

They were on their way back after a visit to the Sun Temple at Konark and Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri.Though the chopper became unstable for a few seconds and its blades got bent, all those onboard were safe.