Cadres, functionaries jubilant, but Jaya has quiet birthday

Chennai, Feb 24 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today turned 58.

Greeting her on the occasion, state Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said, ''I wish you a long and healthy life in your service to the people of Tamil Nadu.'' Scores of party functionaries and cadre thronged the Poes Garden residence of the AIADMK supremo with bouquets and sweets. They also burst crackers and shouted slogans hailing their leader.

However, Ms Jayalalithaa chose to have a quiet birthday at home and gave audience to limited visitors, sources said.

She had no appointments for the day, they added.

Meanwhile, all-religion prayers, special poojas, mass feedings and distribution of welfare assistance to the poor were organised across the state by partymen on the occasion.

At the AIADMK headquarters here, state Public Works Minister and the party's Election Wing Secretary O Panneerselvam cut a 58-kg cake to mark the party supremo's birthday.

He also released a special souvenir to mark the occasion which was received by party organising secretary K A Sengottaiyan.

State ministers, district secretaries, party legislators and Members of Parliament, senior functionaries and scores of party cadre were present on the occasion.

In a separate function, the World Federation of Tamil Youth, United States, gave away the 12th annual 'Dr J Jayalalithaa Awards of Excellence 2006' to seven achievers including renowned cardiologist K M Cherian, University of Madras Vice Chancellor S P Thiyagarajan, Iyer Impex Managing Director K Y Radhakrishna Iyer and Banyan, a charitable trust.

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