The Hindu : National : Sonia Gandhi turns 60

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006
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National

Sonia Gandhi turns 60

Parul Sharma

Congress workers gather in large numbers to celebrate

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 60th birthday at 10 Janpath on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: The entire stretch from near 10 Janpath to the Akbar Road headquarters of the Congress party wore a festive look here on Saturday as hundreds of party workers burst fire crackers, distributed sweets and broke into song and dance to celebrate the 60th birthday of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Ms. Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence was decked up with her larger-than-life posters and cut-outs. There were classical and folkdance performances by troupes from across the country and beating of drums by party workers.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur were among the first callers to wish Ms. Gandhi. They presented her a handcrafted memento titled `In Appreciation' comprising an essay on her political career. The memento also contained many original paintings from children.

Dressed in a pink sari, Ms. Gandhi warmly greeted all those who queued up to wish her. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was away in Dehra Dun, sent Ms. Gandhi a letter and a bouquet.

Congress MP and AICC Treasurer Motilal Vora released an audio CD containing songs on Ms. Gandhi, while Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar distributed sewing machines and blankets and other woollen stock to destitute women and visually impaired children.

Ambrish Pandey, who said," Sonia Gandhi is the mother of our country. I am her devotee. Congress is in my blood," was fortunate in being allowed. But brothers Naveen and Vineet Shukla, who had come from Rae Bareilly - Ms. Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency — were angry as as they were not allowed to enter the house.

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