President arrives after seven-day State visit to UK-Cyprus

Sumir Kaul
New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Indian President Pratibha Patil
Sunday returned from seven-day State Visit to United Kingdom
and Cyprus in which she received rare memorabilia of Mahatma
Gandhi, participated in the launch of Queen' Baton Relay for
Commonwealth Games and held bilateral talks with the leaders
of both countries.
In the first-leg, the President visited London for four
days where rare Gandhi memorabilia were handed over to Patil
by NRI entrepreneurs Sir Gulam K Noon and Nathu Puri, who had
procured them from an auction in July which she described was
the "high-point" of her visit.
She was accorded a red-carpet welcome by the Queen
Elizabeth at the Windsor Castle where she saw Indian gifts to
the Royal family, attended the state banquet and met leader of
opposition David Cameroon and Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg.
The President also met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at
his office-cum-residence at 10 Downing Street.
The President also received the Queen's Baton for
Commonwealth Games, starting the countdown for the next year's
games here, at a colourful function in front of Buckingham
Palace. More PTI