President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was expected to arrive here yesterday evening on a three-day visit to Kerala, will address a special session of the State Assembly at 9.30am today.

He will be the first Indian President to address the State Assembly.

The President will be received by Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan, Deputy Speaker N. Sundaran Nadar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan at the entrance of the Assembly.

Ramakrishnan said here yesterday that Kalam would address the House for half-an-hour and interact with the members. A photo session had also been arranged. Former MLAs and leaders of political parties had also been invited to attend the session.

After the reception at the airport the President was to proceed to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and meet his former colleagues. Later he will spend the night at the Raj Bhavan.

After addressing the Assembly, the President will take part in the silver jubilee celebrations of the SLV 3 launch at the Thumba rocket launching station and interact with young engineers of the VSSC.

He will also inaugurate a symposium at the Kanakakkunnu Palace here. His other engagements include laying the foundation stone of the Habitat Centre and a visit to the Kavadiar Palace, the seat of the erstwhile Travancore royalty. Later, he will inaugurate the services of the Edusat.

He will leave for Kochi at night and take part in functions at Kalady, Alappuzha, Puthupally, Kottayam, Changanassery, Parumala and Kodumgallur.

In Kodumgallur, he will also become the first Indian President to visit the Cheraman Juma Masjid. The ancient mosque is considered to be the first in the Indian subcontinent. He will spend 25 minutes there.

Known for its secular traditions, the mosque draws visitors from all over the world. It is believed that it was built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Dinar, a contemporary of Cheraman Perumal, the Kerala king who had left for Holy Makkah following a dream and later embraced Islam.

Later, Kalam will leave for New Delhi from Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery.