Oct 06, 2010: Sikhs formed a human chain to protect the President Pratibha Patil as she and her family made the serene experience in the tranquility offered in Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) the Sikh Holiest Shrine.
This is the Presidents first visit to the Holy Sikh Shrine; she paid homage to the Holy Sikh Scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The entourage that accompanied the VIP visit included Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Bathinda MP and Sukhbir Badal's wife Harsimrat Badal and other dignitaries accompanied the president during her maiden visit to the Sikh shrine.
According to Sikh traditions the president was given a 'Siropa' (religious gift blessed by Guru Granth Sahib) by the Granthi (priests).
During the visit the President will plant trees and attend a function that will address the growing concern of female foeticide destruction by Punjabi women.