Zoramthanga still going strong at 64

Aizawl, Jul 13 (UNI) Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga turned 64 today, with birthday wishes and congratulatory messages pouring in at his official residence here from ministers, MLAs, party workers, relatives and well-wishers.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari also conveyed his best wishes to the Chief Minister.

However, even though being over sixty years old and a father of two - Ramthansiama (20) and Milari (16) - the Chief Minister is quite hale and hearty, both physically and mentally, thanks to his health consciousness.

Mr Zoramthanga's day usually starts with a few games of badminton after a short meditation, except on Sundays.

Born in 1944 in a small village of Samtlang near the Burma border in Champhai district to Darphunga, Mr Zoramthanga completed his high school from the Government Gandhi Memorial School in Champhai and later graduated in English from the DM College in Imphal, Manipur.

He joined the Laldenga-led Mizo National Front, then a banned underground outfit, in 1966 as a fresh graduate.

He was elected MLA from his home constituency Champhai in the first Mizoram Assembly elections after the MNF-India peace agreement in 1987 and since then he has never lost the seat.

He succeeded Laldenga when the latter died in 1990 and became the MNF president.

''In his second successive term as Chief Minister, Pu Zoramthanga has built many development infrastructures and assets in Mizoram. He is making efforts to boost the state's economy to make it one of the most developed states in India,'' his PIO Lalramliana said.

Mr Zoramthanga has a vision to make Mizoram the 'Switzerland of the East' and is determined to fulfill this vision as the Chief Minister.

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