President and the public

As India opens its presidential properties to the public, it follows global examples

- REWATI KARAN

A quiet corner of Dehradun, hidden behind pine trees and winding roads, there lies a piece of history which, hitherto, was available to very few. From June 24, that is going to change. For the first time in history, Rashtrapati Niketan, the presidential retreat in Uttarakhand, will be open to the public. The President's Office announced on May 24 that it was a major move towards making India's democratic institutions more accessible and interactive to citizens.

The estate, a vast 21-acre spread that's 186 years old, was originally called Rashtrapati Ashiana. It was primarily used by the president's bodyguards for horse practice. Now, after it's being turned into an open-to-the-public heritage building.