Kovind, Modi greet Telangana CM on birthday

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday stayed away from his 65th birthday celebrations in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack even as President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted him.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, Kovind and Modi along with Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and other leaders conveyed their greetings to Rao over phone.

Modi also greeted the Chief Minister on Twitter, saying "May Almighty bless him with a long life filled with good health."

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan also greeted Rao.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, has already announced that he will not celebrate his birthday in the wake of the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 49 CRPF troopers.

KCR said that at a time when the nation is in a state of grief it would not be proper on his part to celebrate.

The Chief Minister, who turned 65 on Sunday, has asked all leaders and cadres of his Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) not to organise any celebrations.

KCR's family members planted saplings at his official residence to mark the occasion. His wife Shobha, son and TRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao and other family members participated in the plantation.

Rama Rao tweeted that each of the family members planted a sapling wishing KCR a long, healthy, happy life filled with peace and love.

"Many wishes to a rare leader and a fighter who personifies courage, commitment and grit. Proud that he is also my father," he said.

TRS workers and leaders distributed fruits among patients at hospitals, donated blood and participated in various welfare programmes across the state.

--IANS

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