President Pranab Mukherjee today lauded the former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for his struggle to reach the highest positions in the country, overcoming difficult circumstances.
"In overcoming the odds of an extremely humble background and beginning, overcoming the handicaps thereof without bitterness and rising up to the highest positions in the country, Shinde's story is indeed the story of India," Mukherjee said.
He was speaking at the 75th birthday celebration of the senior Congress leader at his native town Solapur in western Maharashtra.
The President described Shinde's life as a "shining example of an empowering, enabling and progressive democratic India, having played out itself as per the dreams of its founding fathers".
Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were among those present at Shinde's public felicitation.
Shinde attributed his success in the political arena to the people of Solapur, who he said, saw him rise from the humblest of origins to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and later a Union Minister.
Pawar, who was the CM when Shinde was a minister in state cabinet, said the latter duly implemented all the responsibilities given to him.
Fadnavis noted in his speech that Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist caught alive during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, was hanged during Shinde's tenure as the Union Home Minister.
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Congress president Sonia Gandhi's written message
congratulating Shinde on his 75th birthday was read out at the event. She hailed Shinde as an outstanding parliamentarian and administrator.
Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Kumari Selja, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Shivraj Patil and NCP leader Praful Patel also attended the event.
