Karunanidhi turns 86

Chennai, June 3 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi turned 86 today.

Leaders from across the nation, including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi greeted him on the occasion.

After a brief celebration with his family members, the Chief Minister drove down to the memorial of DMK founder and late Chief Minister C N Annadurai to pay floral tribute.

The birthday of the DMK patriarch, who is holding the Chief Minister's post for the fifth time, comes at a time when his party registered a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls bagging 18 out of the 39 seats in the state.

On the occasion, the State Government launched an eye care scheme for school children.

About 24 lakh students of sixth, seventh and eighth classes, studying in government and aided schools would be screened under the scheme.

The Chennai Corporation also launched a scheme of providing a one gm gold ring to babies born in corporation maternity hospitals. (ANI)