Kochi: President A P J Abdul Kalam will participate in a function in Kochi on April 25 to welcome INS Tarangini, the first sail training ship of the Indian Navy, which will be returning to this port city after her circumnavigation of the globe.

According to Naval sources, the President is expected to arrive in the city on April 24.

The ship, which would reach the shores of Kochi on April 24 from Colombo, would enter the harbour on April 25. Just as the ship enters the harbour, the President will board 'Tarangini', according to a tentative programme released in Kochi.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners of countries, which the sailing ship called during its 15 months of voyage, are also expected to give the ship a warm welcome as it reaches Kochi.

'Tarangini' is on her way to Colombo and is expected to reach the Lankan capital on April 16. It would leave for Kochi on April 20 to reach here on April 24, the sources said.

The ship, which had set sail from Kochi in January 2003, has traversed across the Arabian, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, touching 36 ports and 18 countries.

During the passage, the ship has been carrying out training for Naval cadets, including those from overseas.

The aim of such a journey was to "build bridges of friendship" between various Navies, the sources said, adding it was a good exposure for the Naval cadets.