Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Marks 75th Milestone with Grand Celebrations
Patna witnessed a day of festivities as Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar celebrated his 75th birthday on Sunday. The occasion drew birthday greetings from prominent national figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, numerous Union ministers, state ministers, and senior leaders from various political parties across the country.
Nationwide Tributes and Political Acknowledgments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to extend his heartfelt wishes. "Birthday greetings to Bihar CM Shri Nitish Kumar Ji. He has been tirelessly working for Bihar's progress over the last several years," the Prime Minister posted. He further praised Kumar's visionary leadership and development schemes, noting their positive impact on countless lives, and offered prayers for Nitish's long and healthy life.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his greetings on X, stating, "Heartfelt birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. Under your leadership, the NDA in Bihar is working with dedication for the development and progress of the people of the state. I pray to God for your good health and long life."
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan joined in extending greetings, praying for Kumar's "good health, longevity and a life full of achievements." Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav also wished the Chief Minister well, expressing hopes for his continued good health.
Statewide Celebrations and JD(U) Festivities
Across Bihar, state ministers from the JD(U) and party workers organized a series of celebratory programs to honor their leader. Key events included:
- Celebrations in Kumar's native village, Kalyan Bigha, where local workers gathered to mark the occasion.
- A cake-cutting ceremony outside the JD(U) office in Patna, symbolizing party unity and joy.
- Puja and havan rituals conducted at the historic Naulakha Mandir in Patna, invoking blessings for the Chief Minister.
- A blood donation camp organized at the residence of Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary, promoting social welfare in Kumar's honor.
- The cutting of a massive 75-pound cake at the residence of Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni, reflecting the milestone age.
JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha emphasized Kumar's legacy, stating, "Nitish is the pride of Bihar. He transformed Bihar." General secretary of Bihar Rajya Nagrik Parishad, Arvind Kumar alias Chhotu Singh, echoed this sentiment, declaring, "Today is a matter of pride for all JD(U) workers. If anyone changed the face of Bihar, it is Nitish."
Family Tributes and Political Speculation
Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant, performed puja-archana at Patna's Mahavir Mandir and the Iskcon temple, praying for his father's longevity and well-being. After offering prayers, he returned to the Chief Minister's official residence, where he touched his father's feet and sought blessings.
Speaking to media outside a temple, Nishant shared, "Today is my father's birthday. I came to the Mahavir Mandir to pray for Papa's long life and good health. Today he completed 75 years. Everything is going well. It is God's grace."
The birthday celebrations also sparked discussions about Nishant's potential entry into politics. Reacting to demands from party workers, Chhotu Singh commented, "Nishant will certainly enter politics. He is educated, so entering politics is not wrong. The people of entire Bihar want Nishant to enter politics."
Greetings from Across the Political Spectrum
The occasion saw wishes pouring in from leaders beyond Bihar. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein all extended their greetings to Kumar.
Several JD(U) leaders, including Ashok Choudhary, Neeraj Kumar, and Vijay Choudhary, also conveyed their heartfelt wishes, highlighting the widespread respect and admiration for the veteran leader within his party and beyond.
As Nitish Kumar enters his 76th year, the celebrations underscored his enduring influence in Bihar's political landscape and the national recognition of his contributions to the state's development over the years.
