India’s first woman President Pratibha Patil is on a mission to transform the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan into a popular tourist destination.
The first citizen has taken extra efforts to “make Rashtrapati Bhavan known to the people at large”, by starting a conducted tour of the heritage building and inviting people to witness colourful Change of Guard ceremony.
“We are re-packaging the whole thing to bring Rashtrapati Bhavan to the tourist map of the world. She wants to bring it as close to the people as possible so that it becomes a people’s institution,” President’s secretary Dr Christy Fernandes said at a rare press conference atop Raisin Hills.
The change of guard ceremony, a military tradition, has been revamped by incorporating more horses and colour. The public is being encouraged to witness the ceremony that happens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, every Saturday.
General visitors can also have a conducted tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
The tour happens in two sessions - pre and post lunch - and requires visitors to obtain permission by sending a fax to 011-23014570, a Rashtrapati Bhavan number.