PM wishes Parrikar on 63rd birthday; BJP holds special prayer
PM Narendra Modi today wished ailing Goa CM Manohar Parrikar on his 63rd birthday and prayed for his good health. Modi took to Twitter to wish Parrikar and appreciated his "hardworking nature" and commitment towards the development of the coastal state. Parrikar has been recuperating at his private residence in Dona Paula near Panaji, since October 14, when he was discharged from the AIIMS.
'The entire nation prays for Parrikar Ji's good health'
BJP organizes blood-donation camp as part of Parrikar's birthday celebration
Parrikar's family, BJP workers, and his well-wishers held a special prayer at Panaji's Mahalaxmi Temple today for his health. His son Utpal Parrikar, along with state BJP-spokesperson Siddharth Kunkolienkar, led the prayers. Parrikar won't celebrate his birthday in public, but the BJP has organized several events, including a blood-donation camp at party headquarters, which has been a practice since 2006, on the occasion.
Parrikar always celebrates birthday in public, except for this time
This is the first time since 1994 that Parrikar isn't celebrating his birthday in public after becoming an MLA over two decades ago, Kunkolienkar said yesterday. "Even when he was the Defense Minister, he used to fly to the state to celebrate his birthday," said Kunkolienkar, who had resigned from the Panaji Assembly constituency to make way for Parrikar to get elected in 2017.