New Delhi, Aug 27 : President of Lao People''s Democratic Republic (PDR) Choummaly Sayasone, who is on a five-day visit to India to strengthen bilateral ties, was accorded a ceremonial reception by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today.

Expressing happiness at his visit to India, Sayasone said that he saw in it an opportunity to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday discussed some points related to public health and medical facilities during a function. He laid the foundation stone of Jorhat Medical College at Jorhat in Assam. He also flagged off a Mobile Medical Unit in the first day of his two-day visit to Assam. He appreciated the efforts of the state government. He congratulated the state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his valuable efforts to set up a medical college in Assam. He hoped that the vision of CM to open three medical colleges will materialize soon.

Guwahati, Aug 25 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today stressed the need on balanced regional spread of medical facilities and education to make them accessible to the poor people in different regions.

Speaking after laying foundation stone of a new medical college at Jorhat here, Dr. Singh said, the country is facing insufficient medical education and health care facilities and it needs a special attention with a professional role.

New Delhi, Aug 25: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will begin his two-day visit to Assam from today.

Tight security arrangements have been made in the Jorhat, Nagaon, Kokrajhar and Guwahati areas where the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit.

Today, Dr. Singh is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the state’s fourth medical college in Jorhat, and also attend a power-point presentation programme on Majuli, the world''s largest river island.

New Delhi, Aug 24 : President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today greeted the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.

President Patil in her massage said, "On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my greetings and best wishes to everyone."

"The life and teachings of Lord Krishna have a universal message, as they signify the triumph of virtue over vice and righteousness over evil and constitute a rejection of intolerance and narrow mindedness," Patil added.