Monday, July 3 2006 11:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: Amid heavy rains President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam began a three-day visit to Orissa during which he will inaugurate an eye institute, a cancer research unit and also visit a defence research establishment in the state.

The president arrived at the Biju Patnaik airport here at about 8.50 p.m. Sunday in a special flight. He was received by Orissa Governor Rameswar Thakur, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and top state officials and ministers, officials said Monday.

From the airport, Kalam went straight to the Bhubaneswar Eye Institute (BEI), which he is to inaugurate Monday. He interacted with the employees of the institute that is located on the outskirts of the city.



BEI is a specialised eye care centre set up by Hyderabad-based V. Prasad Eye Institute with financial support of Australian mining major, BHP Billiton.

The institute will offer specialised medical, diagnostic and surgical care for cataract, glaucoma and squint treatment, an official of the institute said.



Later on Monday, Kalam will travel by helicopter to Behrampur, in Ganjam district, 150 km from here. He is to attend the platinum jubilee celebrations of the City High School in Behrampur.



He will later preside over the silver jubilee celebrations of Mahuda Pharmaceutical College nearby and inaugurate the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Memorial cancer chemotherapy research unit set up by the college.



On Tuesday, the president will head to the coastal district of Bhadrak, 150 km away, where he will meet top officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

He is scheduled to leave for Delhi the same afternoon from the state capital.

"Security has been beefed up in all the places Kalam is scheduled to visit," a police official told sources.

The state is witnessing heavy monsoon rains since Sunday night.