Sonia turns 60, emotional touch to celebration

New Delhi, Dec 9: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi turned 60 today, as the party celebrated it as a ''uniquely sentimental'' birthday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony and Home Miniter Shivraj Patil were among those early visitors to 10 Janpath residence of Ms Gandhi to greet her on the occasion.

Hundreds of party workers from different parts of the country thronged outside her residence since morning, braving the chill weather.

There was dance, music and song by cultural troupes from neighbouring and far off states on the Akbar Road which was closed for vehicular traffic. There were occasional bursting of fire crackers as the enthusiastic workers shouted slogans praising Ms Gandhi and wishing her a long life for the service of the nation.

There were processions by party units from different parts of the capital city which converged in front of Ms Sonia's residence.

While "designated" party workers were allowed inside her residence to personally greet her, hundreds of others waiting outside were assured by party leaders that Ms Gandhi would make an appearance before them soon.

On behalf of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Prime Minister Singh presented to Ms Gandhi a bouquet of flowers, a shawl and a special volume "In Appreciation", produced as a single original imprint. He was accompanied by CWC members.

Uniquely handcrafted, with original illustrations, it contains an essay on her remarkable political career and original letters of good wishes from Dr Singh and other eminent personages.

The volume contains television sound bytes, from the "aam aadmi" across India, who have been the beneficiaries of her special rural initiatives. It contains many original paintings from young children whose colourful art wish her a happy birthday. It also contains extracts from her speeches which, AICC General Secretary in charge of Media Department Janardhan Dwivedi said, "are an enduring expression of her personal philosophy."

The symbolic motif of the volume is a tree in full bloom with sixty gorgeous flowers, which "radiates beauty, gives shelter and whose deep roots brave all storms." "It is a uniquely sentimental birthday gift," Mr Dwivedi told UNI.

The highlight of the birthday celebration was a unique gift by the All India Congress Seva Dal whose volunteers presented Ms Gandhi with 60 varieties of saplings gathered from all over the country.

The saplings included those of Sharifa, Lal Chandan, Mango, Teak, Spices, Litchi, Jamun, Coconut, Peach, Apple, Orange, Peepal, Imli, Sheesham, Neem, Rudraksha, Pine, Samel, Bargad, Mahuhea, Bahera, Bamboo, Pilkhan, Tota, Chir, Chinar, Kapur, Arjun, Ber, Desi Kikar and Pili Gulmohar.

She personally inspected each and every sapling and sought to know the details of the plant.

Mr Dwivedi said a decision was yet to be taken on where to plant these saplings as some of them could not be nursed in the climate of Delhi. Complementing the saplings is a handmade quilt that is the tapestry of the finest weaves and textiles of India. "They represent the diversity of our country and the unique life force that goes to form the wonderful mosaic that is India," Mr Dwivedi said.

UNI