President to Launch Number of New Initiatives on December 11 and 12, 2014

The President will launch a number of new initiatives on December 11 and 12, 2014.

These include:

December 11, 2014:

1.‘Samagam’

‘Samagam’, a community initiative for Senior citizens residing in the President’s Estate which will offer an opportunity for all Senior citizens to get together on a daily basis and have free health check-ups, participate in recreation activities, etc.

2.Electronic Art Catalogue titled ‘Art Heritage of Rashtrapati Bhavan: A Selection’

An Electronic Art Catalogue containing over 113 high quality photographsof paintings and select art objects in the collection of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be added to the President of India website.Through this initiative, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is opening to people from across the world for the first time a cross section of the entire art collection of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

3.Financial Literacy Festival and opening of a Literacy Centre as well as a Financial Library at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in the President’s Estate

Students of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya as well as residents of the President’s Estate will be trained in financial literacy using dummy banking and literacy classes conducted by the State Bank of India at the Financial Literacy Centre. The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) will create a Financial Library where resources will be available to sustain interest of students and teachers. RuPay will give Rs.25/- credit to each student through Dummy cards to buy books during the festival. Financial games, quizzes and other activities will also be organized for students, children and parents.

4.President’s Estate Housing Complex near Dr. RML Hospital comprising Type II/III houses for staff

Foundation Stone will be laid for a Housing Complex comprising Type II/III houses for staff. This complex will be built at G. Point, near Dr. RML Hospital. It will comprise two ten storey residential towers of a total of 72 houses.

5.RB Cycle initiative

With a view to reducing the use of motorized vehicles within the President’s Estate, 50 cycles will be made available at 4 locations in the Estate to promote fitness and health amongst residents of President’s Estate and to create awareness about environment issues.

December 12, 2014:

6.Ceremonial Hall

The President will inaugurate a new Ceremonial Hall for hosting important ceremonial events. The Hall will form part of an integrated Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center with an Art Gallery, multi-purpose halls and auditorium.Built as an extension of the existing auditorium, the 55m x 41m Ceremonial Hall has been built keeping in mind the requirements of August 15 ‘At Home’ Receptions and ‘Guards of Honour’ for visiting foreign dignitaries during inclement weather. Construction of the Hall, whose foundation stone was laid on December 18, 2013 has been completed within a year.

This Press Release issued at 1245 hrs.